Housing Discrimination

How to Recognize Housing Discrimination

If you are a member of a protected class, it is illegal for someone to:

Refuse to rent, sell, or negotiate for housing on the basis of the characteristics of a protected class.
Deny that housing is available if it truly is.
Set different terms or conditions for the sale or rental of a property.
Show you only homes or apartments in certain neighborhoods.
Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only.
Refuse to provide you with information regarding mortgages loans, deny you a mortgage loan simply based on characteristics of a protected class, or set different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan.
Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability if the accommodation may be necessary to afford such a person a reasonable and equal opportunity to live in the home.
Intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with his/her fair housing rights.

You call and get an appointment to look at a house, but when you get there, you are told that the house was just sold.
You are told that an apartment has been rented, but it is listed in the paper again.
You are told a higher selling price than what was advertised, or that you heard others being told.
You are given different terms or conditions for signing a lease than other applicants.
You are told that they cannot rent to families with children because the house has lead paint.
You are directed to or away from certain neighborhoods based on race or national origin.