Question: My apartment complex has a community room for special events and parties. We wanted to reserve the room for a small Bible study group, but my landlord wouldn't allow it. Later, our neighbor reserved the room for a birthday party. What can we do?

Answer: Your landlord cannot discriminate against you simply based on your religion or religious practices. A landlord can decide that a community room may not be used for any private purposes. If the room is available to tenants for private activities, all tenants must be granted the same privileges, including use for religious purposes. If your landlord refuses to allow this, contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights to explore your options under the law.