Laws
That Protect You
Federal and state fair housing laws were put into effect to create an even playing
field for homebuyers in all areas of a real estate transaction. These laws prohibit
discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status,
and national origin.
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits
all racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property.
Civil
Rights Act of 1968 and 1988 Amendment
In leasing or selling residential property, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 expands
the definition of discrimination to include not only race, but also national
origin, color, and religion. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 further
broadens the definition to include age, sex, and handicapped status.
Fair
Housing Act
The federal Fair Housing Act of 1988 and Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1968 constitute the Fair Housing Act. The Act makes fair housing a national
policy throughout the U.S. It prohibits discrimination in the sale, lease or
rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable because of race,
color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
Americans
with Disabilities Act
Title III of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination
against persons with disabilities in commercial facilities and
places of public accommodation.
Equal
Credit Opportunity Act
The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against
anyone on a credit application due to race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or because all or
part of an applicant's income comes from any public assistance program.
Know
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Homesellers, prospective homebuyers, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and
loan officers all have rights and responsibilities under the law.
Sellers'
Responsibilities
As a home seller or landlord, you are obligated not to discriminate in the sale,
rental or financing of your property on the basis of race, color, religion,
sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Also, you cannot do so
through your licensed broker or salesperson, who is also bound by anti-discrimination
laws. You may not set any discriminatory terms or conditions in a purchase contract
or a lease. Additionally, you may not deny that housing is available or advertise
a property's availability only to persons of a certain race, color, religion,
sex, disability, familial status or national origin.
Real
Estate Professionals' Responsibilities
Real Estate agents, mortgage brokers and loan officers in a real estate transaction
may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability,
familial status or national origin. Equally as important, they may not follow
such instructions from a homeseller or landlord.
What
To Do if You Feel the Law Has Been Violated
Discrimination complaints about housing may
be filed with the nearest office of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) or by calling HUD's telephone numbers, (202)708-1112 (Voice) or (202)708-1455
(TTY). Or contact HUD on the Internet at http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm.