Vegan landlord leaves people divided over rule that tenants cannot cook meat

19 June 2023 , 16:07

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What set this property apart was the "wonderful vegan landlord" who had just one rule: no cooking of meat or fish allowed within the building (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

What first appeared to be an everyday listing of some spacious and sunny apartments in a beautiful brick townhome has sparked controversy.

What made it stand out was the "wonderful vegan landlord" who had just one rule for tenants: no meat or fish can be cooked in the building.

As news of the meatless walkup spread, curious renters flocked to the by-appointment-only open house, revealing that the unconventional rule wasn't an automatic deal breaker.

Even the price tags of $4,500 and $5,750 for the one-bedroom apartments didn't deter those who were willing to embrace this veggie-centric pad.

The broker, Andrea Kelly, clarified that meat-eaters were not banned from renting, but they were not permitted to cook meat or fish due to the landlord's preference.

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The apartments, with rental prices ranging from $4,500 to $5,750 for one-bedrooms, seemed to appeal to those willing to embrace the meatless lifestyle. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The intention was to prevent the odour of cooking meat from permeating the upper floors. Sushi, steak tartare, and takeout were allowed, but roasting a chicken was strictly off-limits.

The landlord, Michal Arieh Lerer, declined to comment, and the broker and real estate agency also remained silent, The New York Times reported.

However, Michal's ex-husband, Motti Lerer, who co-owns the building and shares the vegan lifestyle, explained that their refusal to rent to meat-eaters has been consistent since they purchased the property in 2007.

He emphasized that it was not a discriminatory stance but rather an attempt to ensure tenants aligned with the building's lifestyle.

This raises the question of whether such a policy is legal.

Landlords are prohibited from considering certain characteristics when renting an apartment, such as age, race, family status, job, source of income, and sexual orientation.

However, a preference for hamburgers is not among the protected categories. This "allowed unless specifically forbidden" approach to anti-discrimination laws also makes it legal for landlords to refuse rentals to smokers, as smokers are not a protected class either.

The only way meat-eaters might be allowed to challenge it is if they could prove they needed to eat meat for a medical condition.

The initial listing on nextdoor.com, which mentioned the meat policy, was taken down but the apartments are still listed on Douglas Elliman's website, albeit without reference to the meat rule.

Some prospective tenants were taken aback when they learned about the meat rule, while others saw it as a minor inconvenience.

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One of them, Tessa Ruben, expressed her unease, telling The New York Times: "What makes me more nervous than the rule itself is knowing there's someone upstairs making sure you follow it."

Lucy Williamson