Fair Housing Guide
Your rights under the Fair Housing Act and how to recognize and report discrimination
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for housing. Understanding your rights is essential to ensuring equal access to housing opportunities.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act, enacted in 1968 and amended in 1988, prohibits discrimination in housing based on specific protected characteristics. The Act applies to most housing, including:
- Rental housing (apartments, houses, condos)
- Home sales
- Mortgage lending
- Housing advertising
- Homeowner's insurance
Protected Classes
Under federal law, it is illegal to discriminate based on the following protected characteristics:
What Constitutes Housing Discrimination?
Discrimination can take many forms. It is illegal for housing providers (landlords, property managers, real estate agents, lenders) to:
In Rental Housing:
- Refuse to rent or negotiate for rental housing
- Make housing unavailable or deny that housing is available
- Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for rental
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection or rental
- Use discriminatory advertisements or make discriminatory statements (e.g., "No children," "Christians only")
- Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities
- Refuse reasonable modifications to units for people with disabilities
- Harass or intimidate based on protected characteristics
- Retaliate against someone who files a fair housing complaint
Examples of Discrimination:
❌ ILLEGAL
"We don't rent to families with children."
❌ ILLEGAL
Telling a person of one race that an apartment is unavailable, while telling a person of another race that it is available.
❌ ILLEGAL
Refusing to rent to someone because they use a Section 8 voucher (in jurisdictions with source of income protection).
❌ ILLEGAL
Refusing to allow a tenant with a disability to install grab bars in their bathroom (reasonable modification).
❌ ILLEGAL
Setting higher rent or security deposit for families with children.
❌ ILLEGAL
Advertising rental housing with discriminatory language (e.g., "Perfect for traditional families," "No Muslims").
Reasonable Accommodations for People with Disabilities
Under the Fair Housing Act, housing providers must make reasonable accommodations and allow reasonable modifications for people with disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodations
Accommodations are changes to rules, policies, practices, or services to provide equal housing opportunity.
- Example 1: Waiving a "no pets" policy for a service or emotional support animal
- Example 2: Assigning a ground-floor unit to someone with mobility issues
- Example 3: Allowing a tenant to pay rent in person instead of online due to a cognitive disability
Reasonable Modifications
Modifications are physical changes to the unit or common areas to provide equal access.
- Example 1: Installing grab bars in a bathroom
- Example 2: Widening doorways for wheelchair access
- Example 3: Adding a ramp to the entrance
Note: Tenants may be required to pay for modifications and restore the unit to its original condition when they move out (unless the modification is beneficial to all tenants).
Your Rights as a Renter
Equal Treatment
You have the right to be treated the same as all other applicants, regardless of your protected characteristics.
Freedom from Harassment
You have the right to be free from harassment, intimidation, or coercion based on protected characteristics.
Reasonable Accommodations
If you have a disability, you have the right to request reasonable accommodations and modifications.
File Complaints
You have the right to file a fair housing complaint without fear of retaliation.
How to File a Fair Housing Complaint
If you believe you've experienced housing discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint. You have one year from the date of the alleged discrimination to file with HUD.
Step 1: Document Everything
- Write down dates, times, and details of incidents
- Save emails, text messages, and advertisements
- Collect names and contact information of witnesses
- Take photos if relevant
Step 2: File a Complaint
You can file a complaint with multiple agencies:
Many cities have local fair housing centers that provide free assistance with complaints and investigations.
What Happens After Filing
- Investigation: HUD or the agency will investigate your complaint
- Conciliation: The agency may attempt to resolve the issue through negotiation
- Hearing or Lawsuit: If conciliation fails, your case may go to an administrative hearing or federal court
- Remedies: If discrimination is found, remedies can include monetary damages, policy changes, and civil penalties
Fair Housing Resources
Official HUD resources and complaint filing
Advocacy organization and local fair housing center directory
Legal information and complaint resources
Fair Housing Hotline
1-800-669-9777 (Available in multiple languages)
Report Discrimination on HousingBase
If you experience discrimination while using HousingBase—from property managers, other users, or in property listings—please report it immediately. We take all reports seriously and will investigate promptly.