In an unprecedented move, a vegan landlord in New York City has made a distinct mark on the rental market by offering apartments exclusively to tenants who embrace a meat-free lifestyle. Prospective renters of two luxurious one-bedroom apartments in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood will need to agree not to cook any meat or fish in their kitchens, according to an online listing reported by the New York Times.
The listing highlights the exceptional nature of the landlord, Michal Arieh Lerer, who is described as a “wonderful vegan landlord.” The motive behind this unique requirement stems from Lerer’s desire to maintain a plant-based environment in the building, as he personally resides there. The broker, Andrea Kelly from Douglas Elliman, emphasized that the building is not restricted to vegetarians but rather seeks to avoid the aroma of cooking meat wafting upstairs.
Prospective tenants interested in the apartments on South Oxford Street, which are currently priced at $4,500 and $5,750, can still enjoy meat and fish dishes; however, these must be ordered for delivery rather than prepared on-site.
While the local community expressed surprise at the meat-free kitchen rule, it raises questions about the legality of such a restriction. Corey, the superintendent of a nearby building, voiced his concern, stating, “You can’t tell people what to eat and what not to eat. That ain’t right. I wouldn’t be able to rent there.” Scott Fu, a 29-year-old bike mechanic residing nearby, added, “That’s a new one! Can you legally do that, outlaw smells? If you can, I’d outlaw whatever the hell my neighbor’s cooking constantly because it stinks.”
Under the Human Rights Law in New York City, landlords are prohibited from considering specific characteristics, such as age, race, or sexual orientation, when evaluating prospective tenants. However, dietary preferences are not currently included in this list. The vegan landlord’s intent is to eliminate meat smells from the building, aligning with his personal lifestyle choices.
It remains unclear how many potential renters have viewed these two apartments or whether they have already been leased. The original listing mentioning the “no meat/fish in the building” policy has been removed from the nextdoor.com site, but the revised listings without this restriction can still be viewed on the real estate agent’s website.
This distinctive offering by the vegan landlord presents a new perspective on renting in New York City, catering to individuals seeking a meat-free living environment. Whether it will pave the way for similar restrictions or spark legal discussions remains to be seen.
