The Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee
a right to a national housing market free from discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.
THE LAW
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or
rental of property.
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United
States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of
housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin
Americans with Disabilities Act
Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against
persons with disabilities in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any
aspect of a credit application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
sex, marital status, age or because all or part of the applicant's income derives
from any public assistance program.
State and Local Laws
State and local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination
based on additional classes not covered by federal law.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have rights
and responsibilities under the law.
For the Landlord or Home Renter
As a landlord or home renter you have a responsibility and a requirement under the
law not to discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis
of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. You
cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson acting as your agent to convey
for you any limitations in the sale or rental because the real estate professional
is also bound by law not to discriminate. Under the law, a home seller or landlord
cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental; deny
that housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons
of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national
origin.
For the Home Seeker
You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination
or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status,
or national origin.
This includes the right to expect:
- Housing in your price range made available to you without discrimination;
- Equal professional service;
- The opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices;
- No discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing;
- No discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing;
- Reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for persons with
disabilities;
- Non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental, financing, or insuring
of a dwelling;
- To be free from harassment or intimidation for exercising your fair housing rights.
IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Complaints alleging discrimination in housing may be filed with the nearest office
of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or by calling
HUD's toll free numbers, 1-800-669-9777 (voice), or 1-800-543-8294 (TDD).
Contact HUD on the internet at http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm