In a compelling legal battle, two tenants have filed a lawsuit against their former property management company, alleging discrimination and harassment related to the presence of an emotional support animal. The complaint was filed by Briana Javar and Justin Mauz in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, on February 7, 2025, against Related Management Company and several associated entities.
The plaintiffs, Briana Javar and Justin Mauz, claim that they faced significant discrimination and retaliation from their landlords at Mason on Mariposa, a luxury apartment complex in San Francisco. They allege that the defendants violated multiple laws including the Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Fair Employment Housing Act by failing to provide reasonable accommodation for Javar's emotional support animal. According to the complaint, after initially allowing Javar's bull terrier puppy named Blanca as an emotional support animal, the defendants later imposed unreasonable conditions that made it untenable for them to continue living there. The plaintiffs argue that these actions were discriminatory and retaliatory due to Javar’s disability.
Javar and Mauz assert that they were subjected to harassment by other residents with the complicity of the property management staff. One resident allegedly fabricated incidents involving Blanca which led to further restrictions being placed on them by the property management. Despite providing medical documentation supporting the need for an emotional support animal, Javar claims she was harassed into removing Blanca from her home under threat of eviction. This series of events led them to file complaints with the California Civil Rights Division before ultimately vacating their apartment under duress.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $500,000 for emotional distress, breach of contract, and punitive damages due to what they describe as oppressive conduct by their landlords. They also demand injunctive relief to prevent similar future conduct by the defendants towards other tenants.
Representing Javar is Michael G. York from his law office in Irvine, California while Justin Mauz is represented by Kathleen E. Alparce from Alparce Law Group. The case has been assigned Case No. CGC-25-622216 in front of Judge Sahar Enayati.