What is Fair Housing?
 

Fair Housing Opportunity

People have the right to live where they choose, to raise a family, to own a home — with dignity and without discrimination. The Federal Fair Housing Act says 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 classes." Some local cities and counties have laws that include even more protected groups, such as age, sexual orientation, or having a section 8 voucher. Why do we have fair housing laws? Because some landlords and managers think that a person's religion, skin color, or whether they had kids is more important than whether the person is a good tenant.

 
Who Enforces Fair Housing?

HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) enforces a law called 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 Fair Housing Laws Say Landlords and Managers Must 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 ability to pay. Fair housing means that they don't take your protected class into account. For example, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to a family because they are Asian or because they are Muslim.

    • People

  • Similar treatment: Fair housing laws help ensure that all landlords and managers treat applicants and tenants alike. For example, a landlord cannot make all families with children live in the same building of a complex. A maintenance person must provide repair services for all tenants who need them, and cannot refuse to make repairs for gay tenants.


    • People

  • Rules for tenants: The fair housing laws say that housing 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

  • Harassment: Fair housing laws do not allow harassment. If someone treats a tenant badly because of his protected class, the manager must do something about it. For example, the manager should stop a gardener who whistles at female tenants. Or, a landlord must take steps to stop a tenant from calling another tenant racial names.

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  • Disability: People with disabilities sometimes need "accommodations" so that they can live in their apartments. Landlords and managers must provide or allow accommodations. For example, a landlord should provide a large print lease for an applicant who has low vision. A manager must allow a tenant to remodel his apartment so his wheelchair will fit through the doors.

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