Housing Discrimination and Retaliation

Disabled Renters' Housing Rights

A disabled person seeking a rental should not face questions by landlords as to whether they have a disability or illness, nor a request to see medical records. After moving in, the landlord may have to provide accommodations, at the landlord's expense, and may have to allow the tenant to make reasonable modifications to the living unit, though not pay for it.

What Kind of Housing Discrimination Is Illegal?

Federal law prohibits discrimination based on many factors, including race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, and sex.

Tenant Rights Against Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Discrimination

Know your rights when a landlord won't rent to you because you are gay, lesbian, or transgender.

Legal and Illegal Reasons Landlords May Turn Rental Applicants Down

What a landlord can and cannot ask you when you're applying for a rental.

Can I Be Refused an Apartment Because of My Criminal Record?

I recently applied for a apartment and was rejected. The reason they gave me was stated in one word: criminal. I have a felony conviction almost 10 years old. Is this a form of discrimination?

Can Landlords Refuse to Rent to Health Care Workers Based on COVID-19 Fears?

Is a landlord's refusal to rent to someone who has a high risk of being infected with coronavirus illegal discrimination?

Fighting Rental Housing Discrimination FAQ

Learn about illegal housing discrimination, including how to file a complaint.

Landlord Retaliation

Here's what you can do if your landlord is retaliating against you for asserting a legal right, such as complaining to the building inspector about an unsafe apartment

Can I Sue My Landlord for Housing Discrimination?

How to sue your landlord for illegal discrimination.

State Laws Prohibiting Landlord Retaliation

In most states, landlords cannot retaliate against a tenant for exercising a legal right. Find out what tenant rights are protected from landlord retaliation, and situations in which landlord retaliation is presumed.