Landlord accused of violating fair housing laws
114 complaints across New Jersey, other states, DC
By: Maddie McGay
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Housing rights initiative, a nonprofit watchdog organization, has filed multiple complaints with the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights for alleged fair housing violations by Grevstar, the largest apartment manager and owner in the nation.
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The filings are part of a multi-state action, with 114 total complaints made across six states and Washington, D.C, that accuse the company of systematically refusing to rent to prospective tenants holding Section 8 housing vouchers.
..... "Greystar has been committing mass civil rights violations at a scale unlike anything our organization has ever seen," said Aaron Carr, founder and executive director of Housing Rights Initiative. "We have never encountered a landlord that operates with such brazen contempt and hostility toward the rule of law as Greystar. The largest landlord in America is the most discriminatory landlord in America."
..... In response to the claims, Greystar said in a statement that it "remains committed to fair housing practices." The company also said that it "provides training and expects our team members to comply with all applicable laws."
..... The complaint were field after a series of undercover actions that started in October 2025, where testers from the Housing Rights Initiative called Greystar properties posing as prospective tenets.
..... These testers asked leasing agents at the properties if they could use a Section 8 housing voucher to pay rent. The complaints allege that Greystar leasing agents repeatedly refused to accept vouchers, imposed unlawful conditions - like requiring the voucher to cover 100% of the rent - or refused to count voucher assistance toward minimum income requirements.
..... The complaint field in New Jersey said the incident allegedly took place at four locations: One Grove in Jersey city, Hamilton Cove in Weehawken, Harbor 1500 in Weehawken and Ocean Gate in Long Branch.
..... This is a direct violation of fair housing laws in all seven jurisdictions, Housing Rights Initiative said, and highlights the need to strong enforcement from state civil rights and housing agencies.
..... Greystar manages more than 1.1 million units across the country, according to Greystar's website. This including a portfolio of over 30 residential properties in New Jersey, many of which are located in the communities along the state's Hudson River waterfront.
..... After a complaint is filed with the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights, a state agency housed within the Office of the Attorney General, it is served to the accused party. the accused party is then required to respond to the allegations and provide any information that supports its position.
.....A division of Civil rights investigator will then review the case and determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support the claim of the alleged violation. If they determent that there is probable case, the involved parties will have the opportunity to negotiate a voluntary resolution before a deputy attorney general is appointed to prosecute the case.
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Housing Rights Imitative said that its investigation of Greystar is ongoing, and additional fair housing violations may be added to the public record as testing continues.
..... "Our investigation into Greystar revealed that its discriminatory practices are a part of a much larger pattern of source of income discrimination across housing markets, nationwide," said Akash Patel, program development director for Housing Rights Initiative. "Fair and equitable housing practices are critical to the stability of society, and allowing discrimination to continue leaves our most vulnerable neighbors at an even greater disadvantage."