The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of: race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. When based on one of the listed categories, examples of prohibited actions include:
*Refusal to rent or sell housing
*Refusal to negotiate for housing
*Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling.
*Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection/sale/rental
Similar prohibitions apply to mortgage lending. It is also illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with an individual exercising their fair housing right. In mortgage lending, no one may:
*Refuse to make a mortgage loan
*Refuse to provide information regarding loans
*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 exercising a fair housing right.
*Advertise or make any public statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or familial status or disability. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single family and owner occupied housing.
Fair Housing Assistance
Click here to find out what to do if your fair housing right has been violated.