Fighting Rental Housing Discrimination FAQ
Learn about illegal housing discrimination, including how to file a complaint.
» What types of housing discrimination are renters protected from?
What kinds of subtle actions might be illegal discrimination by the landlord?
How can a renter file a discrimination complaint?
What types of housing discrimination are renters protected from?
The federal Fair Housing Act and Fair Housing Amendments Act (42 U.S. Code §§ 3601-3619, 3631) prohibit landlords from choosing tenants on the basis of a group characteristic such as:
- race
- religion
- ethnic background or national origin
- sex
- familial status, including having children or being pregnant (except in certain designated senior housing), or
- a mental or physical disability.
In addition, some state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on a person's marital status, age, or sexual orientation.
Landlords can always select tenants using criteria that are based on valid business reasons, such as requiring a minimum income or positive references from previous landlords, as long as these standards are applied equally to all tenants.
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