Fair Housing Act Information
There are many laws that are involved when buying, selling or renting a home. Many of these laws are to protect individuals from discrimination of one kind or another. In the United States, we have many laws to prevent discrimination such as the Fair Housing Act passed in 1988. This includes when a person or persons are discriminated against as they try to seek housing. Discrimination can occur when a landlord treats prospective renters differently based upon certain characteristics or lifestyles. This is illegal.
The Federal Fair Housing Act protects people from this type of discrimination and applies to all apartments, except buildings with four or fewer units where the owner also lives, housing run by organizations or private clubs, and single-family housing rented without the service of a broker. If you would like to read more about this act, you can get your own copy of the Fair Housing Act design manual or the Fair Housing Act handbook either online or from any government office representing housing.
Under the 1988 Fair Housing Act, a landlord cannot treat a prospective renter differently based upon any of the following criteria: race and color, national origin, religion, families with children under 18, pregnant women, or disability. The government and IRS and the Fair Housing Act protect you and your family from discrimination.
It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of the color of their skin, their race or characteristics that are associated with certain races, including hair color, facial features or hair texture. It is also illegal to discriminate against someone based upon their or their spouse’s ancestry, culture, last name, accent or spoken language. A landlord cannot treat a renter differently based upon religious beliefs, practices, or church, temple, or mosque attendance. Also, anyone who lives with a person under the age of 18 is protected against discrimination. However, one exception does exist; in homes for people over 55, this does not apply.
The Fair housing act also applies to people who have a condition that severely restricts their participation in a major life pursuit. This includes physical and mental disabilities, including blindness, deafness, physical handicaps and mental illnesses, as well as chronic illnesses, including AIDS, mental retardation and long-term alcoholism. This does not include drug users. Breathing problems are covered such as asthma and the fair housing act lists many others.
Failure to comply with the Fair Housing Act is a serious crime that is punishable by stiff fines. People who feel that they have been discriminated against as they seek housing should make a complaint to the US Department of Housing and Urban Developments. You can also ask for a copy of the Fair Housing act rental qualifications.
