Fair Housing: It’s Your Right
State and/or federal laws prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of:
- Race or Color
- Familial status
- Sex
- Age
- Religion
- National origin
- Disability
- Marital status
Fair housing laws protect your rights
when you:
- View or purchase a home.
- View or rent an apartment or other living facility
- Obtain financing, such as a mortgage or home improvement loan.
- Insure your home or apartment.
Fair housing laws ban discrimination in:
- Terms and conditions for buying or renting a home.
- Advertising and marketing housing
- Providing housing services.
State and federal laws also prohibit:
- Steering: directing renters or home buyers to particular neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity.
- Predatory lending: marketing less favorable home loans to persons based on a protected characteristic.
How do you know if it’s discrimination?
Housing discrimination is usually disguised, often with a smile and a handshake. Although some of the following statements may seem reasonable, they could be excuses to prevent you from renting an apartment, buying a home or getting financing or insurance.
Fair housing laws protect your rights when you:
- View or purchase a home.
- View or rent an apartment or other living facility.
- Obtain financing, such as a mortgage or home improvement loan
- Insure your home or apartment
Fair housing laws ban discrimination in:
- Terms and conditions for buying or renting a home
- Advertising and marketing housing
- Providing housing services
State and federal laws also prohibit
Steering
directing renters or home buyers to particular neighborhoods based on race or ethnicity.
Predatory lending
marketing less favorable home loans to persons based on a protected characteristic.
How do you know if it’s discrimination?
Housing discrimination is usually disguised, often with a smile and a handshake. Although some of the following statements may seem reasonable, they could be excuses to prevent you from renting an apartment, buying a home or getting financing or insurance.
Pay close attention when you hear statements like
When you are renting
- I rented that apartment right after you called.
- Yes, we rent to families with children, but our children’s section is full.
- We have a long waiting list.
When you are buying
- Let me show you some homes in an area where you’ll be more comfortable.
- The owner just took the house off the market.
- I’ll have to pre-qualify you before I show you any homes.
When you want financing
- We don’t process mortgages that small.
- You might get better terms at another bank.
- We don’t sell insurance in your area.
Pay close attention when you hear statements like
When you are renting -
- “I rented that apartment right after you called.”
- “Yes, we rent to families with children, but our children’s section is full.”
- “We have a long waiting list.”
When you are buying -
- “Let me show you some homes in an area where you’ll be more comfortable.”
- “The owner just took the house off the market.”
- “I’ll have to pre-qualify you before I show you any homes.”
When you want financing -
- “We don’t process mortgages that small.”
- “You might get better terms at another bank.”
- “We don’t sell insurance in your area.”
Some of these comments may be
valid, but they also may be a pretext to discriminate.
Pay close attention when you hear statements like
State and federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations that are necessary and related to a person’s disability, such as:
- Making exceptions to rules or policies.Allowing a service or support animal in a no-pet complex.
- Assigning parking.
- Making exceptions to rules or policies.
Housing providers are also required to allow modifications to the property that are related to a person’s disability, such as installing ramps, grab bars or visual smoke detectors. These structural modifications:
- May be at the resident’s expense
- May require the housing provider to approve the plans
- May require the resident to return the property to its original condition when moving out
Get In Touch With Us
Complete the form in its entirety to be connected with a qualified property manager who can assist you with all your property-related needs.
Get In Touch With Us
Complete the form in its entirety to be connected with a qualified property manager who can assist you with all your property-related needs.