Class Action Alleges Shuster Management, Fairmount Condo Association’s Leasing Riders Are Discriminatory

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

The owner of a Jersey City condo has filed a proposed class action against Shuster Management LLC, its property management arm, and Fairmount Condominium Association, Inc. over allegedly discriminatory practices.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff leased her unit out to another person, thereby creating a “landlord-tenant relationship” whereby the tenant pays her rent money. The lawsuit explains that when the plaintiff leased out her condo, neither Shuster Property nor Fairmount Condominium Association extended credit or received money from the prospective tenant.

The case says that as part of the defendants’ rules and regulations, prospective tenants must sign a “leasing rider,” which requires the condo unit owner to secure, among other items, Social Security cards, background and credit checks, and banking references from those renting their properties. The lawsuit argues, however, that there exists no legitimate purpose for Shuster Property Management and Fairmount Condominium Association to enforce their leasing rider, as it effectively “seeks to limit housing for individuals of a certain national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, and race.”

The plaintiff claims her objections to the defendants’ enforcement of their leasing rider were “met with repeated demands and threats.”