High Court Drops Case of Not Renting to Unmarried Couple
The California Supreme Court has reversed itself and decided not to review an appeals court decision that lets landlords refuse to rent to unmarried couples because of religious convictions.
The case began in 1987 when a woman tried to rent an apartment in Downey for her and her boyfriend. The landlords, a devout Catholic couple, turned the woman down because they viewed sex outside marriage as sinful.
The Fair Employment and Housing Commission ordered the landlords to pay the woman and her boyfriend damages. But the owners appealed on the grounds that their religious views were protected by the 1st Amendment. A Court of Appeal in Los Angeles ruled in favor of the landlords.
The prospective tenant and the state then asked the California Supreme Court to review the decision. The court took the case but announced Monday, without explanation, that it had decided 7 to 2 to dismiss the appeal.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
