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YOUR HOUSING RIGHTS
The Fair Housing Act (title VIII of the Civil Rights Act, 1988)
prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, handicap or familial status (i.e., whether you have children).
The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some circumstances, the Act does not
apply to owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing
sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and
private clubs that limit occupancy to members. But in most situations, The Fair
Housing Act protects home buyers from unfair discrimination.
What does that mean in practical terms? Under the law, a person selling or renting a
dwelling cannot take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
- Refuse to rent or sell housing
- Refuse to negotiate for housing
- Make housing unavailable
- Deny a dwelling
- Set different terms, conditions or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental
- Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple
listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing
You also have a right to fair mortgage lending. No one may take any of the following
actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or
handicap:
- Refuse to make a mortgage loan
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans
- Impose different terms or conditions on a loan
- Discriminate in appraising property
- Refuse to purchase a loan
- Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan
In addition, it is illegal for anyone to:
- Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or
assisting others who exercise that right;
- Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap.
- There are additional protections if you have a physical or mental disability. For more
information on all of your housing rights, contact the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) and request the brochure, "Fair Housing - It's Your Right"
If you want to contact us, please click here.
Information contained herein is deemed reliable,
but not guaranteed, subject to change without notice.
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