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TRENTON
– The Division on Civil Rights announced
today that it has taken administrative action
against 165 New Jersey landlords for failing
to file a required annual report describing
the race and ethnicity of their housing
applicants and leaseholders.
According to Director J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo,
the Division on Civil Rights has filed an
Order to Show cause against the owners of
“multiple-dwelling” apartment
buildings – buildings with 25 or more
housing units -- who have failed to comply
with New Jersey’s Multiple Dwelling
Reporting Rule.
In responding to the action, landlords have
up to 10 days to file a completed Multiple
Dwelling Report Rule form with the Division
on Civil Rights or, in the alternative,
file a written explanation as to why they
cannot comply.
“These
MDRR reports are an important tool in helping
us to ‘flag’ potential discriminatory
conduct, and to ensure that New Jersey landlords
open their buildings to all eligible persons,”
said Vespa-Papaleo. “We are committed
to combating discrimination in any form,
and landlords can count on us vigorously
investigating and prosecuting those who
refuse to comply with laws designed to help
us do so.”
The Director explained that, to date in
2007, the majority of the state’s
approximately 3,000 multiple-dwelling landlords
have met their obligation under the MDRR.
Noting that three prior warnings have already
gone out in 2007 to landlords who have failed
to meet their MDRR obligation, he said time
has run out for those who continue to ignore
the requirement.
“At this point, the vast majority
of building owners have complied with the
law for this year by submitting their MDRR
reports, and for that they should be commended,”
said Vespa-Papaleo. “Those who have
not complied must recognize that filing
an MDRR report is not discretionary. It
is a requirement under New Jersey law.”
Landlords who fail to meet their obligation
under the Multiple Dwelling Reporting Rule
are subject to fines of up to $10,000 for
a first offense, up to $25,000 for a second
offense, and up to $50,000 for a third offense.
Vespa-Papaleo said the MDRR reports are
vital because they enable the State to know
if illegal factors are influencing the racial
and ethnic composition of individual apartment
buildings, and they help to identify potential
patterns of housing discrimination. In addition,
he noted, the MDRR forms require owners
to furnish information regarding the degree
of access they provide to persons with disabilities.
According to Vespa-Papaleo, the owners of
multiple-dwelling apartment buildings are
required to file their MDRR reports on or
before January 30 of each year. Data included
in the report must cover the period from
Jan. 1 through December 31 of the previous
year.
The Division on Civil Rights makes MDRR
information and forms available on the Division’s
internet Web site at www.NJCivilRights.org.
The forms are also available at every Division
office throughout the State.
The Division on Civil Rights is responsible
for enforcement of the New Jersey Law Against
Discrimination and the Family Leave Act.
The Division currently has six offices,
located in Newark, Trenton, Atlantic City,
Camden, Paterson, and Jersey City. Further
information about the Division is available
on its Web site.
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