Suit Accuses N.Y. Real Estate Firm of Bias Against Parents

A class action lawsuit filed yesterday claims a New York real estate firm discriminates against families with children.

Jamie Katz and Lisa Nocera, an emergency room physician, filed the suit against Brown Harris Stevens, the New York Times reports. They say the firm refused to show them one rental unit because they were expecting a child and told them they could not rent another because the owner feared lead paint would harm their baby.

Mariann Meier Wang, who represents the couple, says many real estate brokers are not aware the federal Fair Housing Act protects families with children.