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Office of Civil Rights
WHAT IS FAIR HOUSING?

Fair Housing Opportunity
People have the right to live where they choose, to raise a family, to rent or own a home — with dignity and without discrimination. Federal, state and local fair housing laws say that no one can deny housing to people because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. These groups are called "protected bases." Some local cities and counties have laws that include more protected groups, like age, sexual orientation, or having a section 8 voucher.

Who Enforces Fair Housing?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act. Local civil rights agencies enforce this Act, and also state and local fair housing laws. We want everyone to know about these protections and what to do if discrimination happens.
 Scales of Justice

What Do Landlords and Managers Have To Do?

Here are some of the important requirements of fair housing laws:

Open Door
  • Rental: When people or companies rent an apartment or sell a house, they should only think about things like your rental history and whether you can pay. Fair housing means that they don't take your protected bases into account. For example, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to a family just because they are Asian or because they are Muslim.

    • People
  • Similar treatment: Fair housing laws help make sure that applicants, tenants and home buyers get treated alike. For example, a landlord cannot make all families with children live on the ground floor. Or a maintenance man can't refuse to make repairs for gay tenants.


    • People
  • Rules for tenants: Fair housing laws say that rules should be written with all tenants in mind, and should not single out any one group. For example, the tenant rules should say "do not leave personal property on the stairs" instead of "do not leave children's toys on the stairs."

    • Open Door
  • No harassment: Fair housing laws forbid harassment. If someone treats a tenant badly because of his protected basis, the manager must do something about it. For example, a landlord must stop a tenant from calling another tenant racial names. Or, a manager should stop a gardener who whistles at female tenants.


    • International Symbol of Access

  • Disability Access: People with disabilities sometimes need "accommodations" so that they can live in their rentals. Landlords and managers must provide accommodations. For example, a landlord should give a low-vision applicant a large print lease. Or a manager must allow a tenant to widen his apartment doors so his wheelchair will fit.



    • What To Do If Discrimination Happens

    Civil rights agencies investigate discrimination complaints for free. If a landlord or manager has done something that you think might be discrimination, your family can contact a civil rights office. Tell them what happened and why you think your "protected basis" caused the negative action. If you file a complaint, the investigator will look at records, interview witnesses, and collect evidence to see if there is proof that discrimination happened. If the evidence shows discrimination, the landlord or manager must change the situation and in most cases, pay back the tenant for the damage done.

    Everyone has a right to fair housing. Fair housing is not only the right thing to do — it's also good business. Landlords and managers don't have to provide special treatment — just equal treatment.

    Know your fair housing rights! If you think discrimination happened, do something about it!

    Updated: Dec. 29, 2006

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