Newman Ferrara attorney, Prof. Randolph McLaughlin, can be found on the New York Times website responding to a reader's question:
Rejected Because of Low Earnings
Q I am having trouble renting in New York City because I am a senior who works part time earning about $13,000 a year. Though I have assets of about $400,000, two landlords have rejected me because my income is too low. Is there anything I can do?
A Federal, state and local laws make it illegal for a landlord to deny housing applications based on an individual’s age, but owners are within their rights to reject a prospective tenant who is unable to demonstrate a financial ability to make the required rent payments, said Randolph M. McLaughlin, a Manhattan civil rights lawyer and a professor at Pace Law School.
While there is no set formula for determining that, he said, many landlords require that a tenant’s annual incomes equal or exceed a certain “multiplier” which can be as high as 80 times the monthly rent. So, for example, if the monthly rent were $1,000, and the landlord used a multiplier of 80 times the rent, the letter-writer would be expected to show an annual income of at least $80,000 a year.
If you believe you are the victim of discrimination, you may contact Professor McLaughlin at 212-619-5400.