We’ve heard some rumbling at Luxury Home Digest that certain foreign diplomats are openly blocked from renting New York City apartments.
Really?
The operating words are diplomatic immunity. NYC is home to the United Nations and their foreign governments and representatives are immune from prosecution for such things as parking tickets, taxes, fines and fees coming from the city and state. They are also immune from most criminal prosecution, civil judgments and other collections resulting from diplomatic treaties and agreements between countries. Milions and millions of dollars are owed by these foreign governments, but these debts are uncollectable.
Landlords and home owners in New York City are understandably reluctant to sign any kind of unenforceable lease with those who are immune to criminal prosecution, judgments and collections due to treaties and reciprocal agreements between foreign nations.
The net result is that landlords can, with their own immunity, post discriminatory ads stating “NO DIPLOMATS” fearless of violating fair housing laws. You see, diplomats are not a protected class when it comes to discrimination in housing.
And that makes me smile.
For additional reading, you might want to explore:
http://time.com/3421587/d
