US sues Airbnb after host rejected rental to mom with youngsters

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) – The U.S. authorities sued Airbnb on Friday, alleging housing discrimination after a bunch refused to hire an house to a mom with three school-age youngsters.

In a criticism filed in San Francisco federal courtroom, the Division of Justice mentioned the house rental firm violated the Truthful Housing Act by means of Jarrod Blake’s rejection of a rental for Charisse Ylitalo and her sons, aged 9, 11 and 14.

The criticism mentioned Airbnb lets hosts designate property as unsuitable for kids aged 2 to 12, or infants below age 2.

Airbnb declined to touch upon the lawsuit, however mentioned it was dedicated to welcoming folks with youngsters, and that it explicitly forbids discrimination based mostly on familial standing. The Justice Division declined further remark.

Ylitalo had sought a three-month rental in late 2020 in Huntsville, Alabama, the place she and her husband Christopher had simply bought their house, to reduce disruptions for his or her youngsters earlier than shifting to Hawaii, the place Christopher had taken a brand new job.

Blake allegedly informed Ylitalo “this house is just not appropriate for teenagers,” prompting her to object.

“My children are 14, 9 & 11,” she mentioned. “I might perceive in the event that they have been little however all they do is play video video games. You do know that it’s unlawful to discriminate in opposition to folks with youngsters.”

The criticism mentioned Airbnb later informed Ylitalo that hosts needn’t settle for youngsters, and “it might be finest” if she discovered one other rental.

Ylitalo and her sons ended up an hour’s drive from Huntsville, inflicting disruptions and isolation that led her husband to return to his previous job, which paid hundreds of {dollars} lower than the Hawaii job, the criticism mentioned.

Airbnb’s web site says hosts are prohibited from discrimination based mostly on “familial standing (having youngsters).”

The San Francisco-based firm mentioned hosts might spotlight options that would lead friends to determine when properties are unsuitable for kids.

Blake, a resident of Santa Monica, California, couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and an injunction requiring Airbnb to take steps to thwart additional discrimination.

The case is US v Airbnb Inc (NASDAQ:ABNB) et al, U.S. District Courtroom, Northern District of California, No. 25-00348.