Fair housing laws in the United States were created to protect the interests of homebuyers and renter's. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of religion, color, race, sex, disability, national origin, and familial status in the following transaction:
Refuse to rent or sell housing
Refuse to negotiate for housing
Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental.
For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
Make housing unavailable
Deny a dwelling
Provide different housing services or facilities.
Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling.
Real Estate agents may not ( or be directed to by the home seller) to discriminate on the basis of religion, color, race, sex, disability, national orgin, and familial status.
If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.
There are a couple of ways to file a complaint:
1. You can call toll-free 1-800-669-9777 . TTD 1-800-927-9275
2. You can write to HUD or your closest HUD office;
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204 451 Seventh Street. SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000
Your letter must include;
Your name and address
The name and address of the person your complaint is about
The address of the house or apartment you were trying to rent or buy
The date when this incident occurred
A short desciption of what happened
Then mail it to the above main HUD address, or the closest HUD office near you.
