May a Landlord Evict Someone for their Sexual Orientation in Miami-Dade County?
Miami-Dade County clearly prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental or housing. The Miami-
Dade Code of Ordinances states that it is “unlawful for any person, owner, financial institution,
real estate broker, real estate agent or any representative of” them to discriminate against
someone based on their sexual orientation. 1 The ordinance essentially prohibits any
discriminatory housing practices within Miami-Dade County.
What Constitutes a Discriminatory Housing Practice?
A discriminatory housing practice includes a refusal by a landlord to sell or rent a property to an
individual based on, among other things, their sexual orientation. This includes a landlord’s
representation to a prospective buyer that a property is not available when it is in fact
available. Furthermore, a landlord may not discriminate against an individual in the terms,
conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental.
What Remedies are Available if a Landlord Does Commit a Discriminatory Housing Practice?
A person may file a civil action regardless of whether he or she has filed a complaint under the
Ordinance, and regardless of the status of any complaint filed under the Ordinance. 2 The civil
action must be filed no later than two years after the alleged discriminatory housing practice
occurred. Should the plaintiff succeed, the Ordinance states that affirmative relief such as a
temporary or permanent injunction, a temporary restraining order, actual and punitive
damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest, and cost could be awarded.
