Fair Housing is the right for
everyone to have access to all housing and investigation opportunties with
discrimination basedon Race, Religion, national Orgin, Sex,
Color, Family Status or Disability.
How can I recognize
housing discrimination?
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Refusal to Rent or
Provide Services |
Refusing to sell, rent, lease,
exchange or negotiate for a dwelling for discriminatory
reasons. |
| Different Terms/Conditions |
Discriminating in rental amounts,
security deposits, enforcement of rules or other terms
and conditions of rental or sale. |
| Misrepresentation |
Representing that an available
dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental
when, in fact, it is. |
| Discriminatory Presentation |
Saying, publishing or displaying a
racial, religious, sexual or ethnic preference with
respect to the sale or rental of housing.
|
| Steering |
Directing anyone to homes or rental
property in a particular area for discriminatory
reasons. |
| Assigning |
Directing anyone to a particular
section of the community for discriminatory reasons. |
| Unequal Financing |
Denying a loan or offer different
financial terms and conditions for discriminatory
reasons. |
| Blockbusting |
Engaging in panic-selling by
representing that the racial composition of a
neighborhood is going to change. |
| Adult Only |
Excluding or discriminating against
families with children, except under specific guidelines
for housing for older persons. |
| Disability Discrimination |
Discriminating against or fail to
make reasonable accommodations for persons with
disabilities. |
What types of housing are covered?
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Under the law, a landlord (owner, manager, broker, realtor or
company representative) is responsible for applying fair housing
practices in dwellings
such as: apartments
rented or leased, houses sold or
rented, boarding and
rooming house rentals, condominiums, mobile home
parks. |
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What can I do to prevent housing
discrimination from
happening to me?
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|
Put together a
reference sheet |
Include your employment history,
rental history, references, etc. Use this sheet to fill
out your housing application. This way, you have a
record of the information submitted. If you are
disqualified because of income, rental history, etc.,
you are able to refer back to the facts given to the
landlord/manager. |
Bring someone
with you |
This person may serve as a witness should you experience
discrimination. |
Be aware of
your surroundings |
Be able to describe the housing and facilities you
are shown, notice other tenants and employees, etc. |
Ask for a
business card |
If no card is available, write down the person's
name, title and phone number. It is important that you
know whom you are talking to. |
Ask for copies of
rules and policies |
This is for your reference and possible evidence of an illegal
housing practice. |
Ask for
marketing materials |
Compare this information with what was advertised or told to you
about the housing you are seeking. |
| Ask for the location of vacancies and when
you can move in |
Many places have a layout map for this purpose. Compare this
information to your housing needs. |
| Pay close attention to what you are told |
Often, misunderstandings cause unnecessary hard feelings. Be
sure you understand what you are told. Avoid second guessing. |
| If you are denied housing services,
ask for the reason in writing |
If a written reason is not provided, write down the reason given
for the denial. Documentation is the key to proving a
discrimination case. |
| Record a detailed account of your
experience |
Ask the person you are with
to do the same.
While it is fresh in your mind, write down your account of the
discrimination, using exact dates, words and phrases as much as
you can.
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