Your Landlord Has Power Over Your Home. Abusing It Is a Federal Crime.
Confidential, trauma-informed representation for victims of sexual harassment, sexual coercion, and sexual assault by landlords and property staff.
You may have a case if…
- ›A landlord, property manager, or maintenance worker made unwanted sexual advances.
- ›Rent reductions, repairs, or continued tenancy were conditioned on sexual conduct.
- ›You were touched, propositioned, or assaulted in your home.
- ›You moved out because the conduct made your home unsafe.
- ›You were threatened with eviction after refusing or reporting.
Sexual harassment in housing is illegal under the federal Fair Housing Act, California's FEHA (Government Code §12955), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the Ralph Civil Rights Act. The law treats landlord sexual harassment as a particularly serious civil rights violation because of the power imbalance — your housing depends on the perpetrator.
These cases are handled with complete discretion. Many resolve confidentially. When public litigation is the right path, we pursue it without hesitation.
Federal Fair Housing Act
Prohibits sexual harassment as a form of sex discrimination in housing. Quid pro quo and hostile environment theories both apply.
California FEHA (Government Code §12955)
Mirrors the federal Act and provides additional state-law remedies including emotional distress and punitive damages.
Ralph Civil Rights Act (Civil Code §51.7)
Protects against violence or threats of violence based on sex. Provides $25,000 statutory damages per violation plus actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees.
Unruh Civil Rights Act (Civil Code §51)
Provides minimum $4,000 per violation plus actual damages for discrimination in any business establishment, including landlord-tenant relationships.
What you can recover
- •Statutory damages (Ralph Act $25,000/violation, Unruh $4,000/violation minimum).
- •Emotional distress damages — typically substantial.
- •Punitive damages.
- •Relocation costs and rent differential.
- •Medical and therapy expenses.
- •Attorneys' fees.
The process
Step 01
Confidential Intake
Private, trauma-informed conversation. We move at your pace.
Step 02
Evidence Preservation
Text messages, voicemails, surveillance, prior complaints against the same perpetrator.
Step 03
Strategic Filing
Pre-suit demand or filing, depending on your goals. We can request pseudonym status in court.
Step 04
Resolution
Confidential settlement or trial — your call.
Why Okojie Law
Frequently asked questions
Will my name be public?+
Not necessarily. Many cases resolve confidentially before filing. We can also request pseudonym treatment in litigation.
What if it has happened to other tenants?+
We frequently uncover prior complaints, prior settlements, and pattern evidence — all admissible to prove the landlord's conduct and to support punitive damages.
Can the landlord evict me for reporting?+
That is retaliation and itself unlawful. We pursue it as an additional claim.
What if I already moved out?+
You can still sue. Moving out often supports a constructive-eviction theory and additional damages.
Do I need to file a police report?+
Not required for the civil case. Criminal and civil tracks are independent.
What does it cost?+
Nothing up front. Contingency representation.
Tell us what happened.
Confidential. No obligation. We respond within one business day.
Related — Housing & Tenant Rights