Can landlord be liable for property manager's unlawful action?

"Both federal and state fair housing laws impose absolute vicarious liability on property owners when management violates the law. In other words, if your property manager violates a tenant's rights under the fair housing laws, you may be held legally and financially responsible for what the manager did, even if you had no part in the illegal behavior and had no knowledge of it at the time it happened."

"This liability applies to the actions not only of the manager but also of any employee of yours that might have contact with tenants, such as a maintenance worker. Liability for discrimination under the fair housing laws from administrative complaints or lawsuits can cost you thousands of dollars in damages and attorney fees."

"You may turn over responsibility for the day-to-day management of your apartment building to a property manager, but not responsibility for complying with the fair housing laws. You can help protect yourself from liability under the fair housing laws from the actions of your employees in a number of ways."

Property owners are legally responsible for fair housing law violations committed by property managers and employees, even without knowledge or participation in the illegal conduct. This vicarious liability extends to all staff with tenant contact, including maintenance workers. Violations can result in thousands of dollars in damages, attorney fees, and years of government agency monitoring. While owners may delegate day-to-day management responsibilities to property managers, they cannot delegate compliance with fair housing laws. Property owners must ensure employees understand fair housing laws, take them seriously, and actively work to comply with all requirements.

Read at Los Angeles Times