The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 and what it applies to
From the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Fair Housing and equal Opportunity is a right
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination with housing due to:
• Race
• color
• Religion
• National origin
• Handicap
• Familial status*
What Housing Is Covered?
The Fair Housing Act covers most kinds of housing. In some cases, The Act exempts owner occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a real estate broker and housing operated by organizations or private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
What Is Prohibited?
During the act of Selling or Renting of Housing: None of the following actions are legal based on race, color, religion national origin, handicap or familial status:
• Refuse to rent or sell housing based on the above
• Refuse to negotiate for housing
• Make housing unavailable
• Deny housing
• Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
• Provide different housing services or facilities
• Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
• Deny anyone access or membership to a facility or service (such as the MLS; multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of a dwelling.
In Mortgage Lending: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, religion, national origin, handicap or familial status:
• Refuse to make a mortgage loan
• Refuse to provide information regarding loans
• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan
• 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:
• Coerce, threaten, intimidate or otherwise interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right this also includes individuals assisting others who exercise that right
• Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, familial status or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.
For more information:
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Rm. 5116
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th St.
Washington, D.C. 20410
(202) 708-2878
* This includes children under the age of 18 living with parents, legal custodians or pregnant women. |
