Fair Housing Law

Fair Housing Law forbids discrimination in housing because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (presence of family member under the age of 18 in the household), disability and/or sexual orientation/gender identity. These are its provisions.

It is unlawful for a real estate operator, broker or sales agent: 

  • To refuse to sell, rent, lease or exchange real property for discriminatory reasons.

  • To refuse to receive or transmit good-faith offers to purchase or rent.

  • To deny services or facilities relating to real property transactions.

  • To represent that real property is not available for inspection, sale or rental when, in fact, it is.

  • To retain a sales listing with the understanding that the seller plans to discriminate.

  • To discriminate in the terms or conditions of sale or rental.

It is unlawful to: 

  • To coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of any housing right.

  • To discriminate in granting rates, terms, conditions or services of financial assistance in real estate transactions.

  • To discriminate in the making or purchasing of loans.

It is unlawful for a real estate operator or a financial institution: 

  • To engage in the tactics and practices of panic-selling (for example, selling because minorities move into an area)

  • To represent that the racial composition of a neighborhood may change or that property values may lower or to make similar false and misleading statements.

It is unlawful for an insurance agent to discriminate in terms, conditions, or privileges of insurance against hazards to a housing accommodations.

It is unlawful for a multiple listing service/real estate organization to deny access or restrict membership or participation for discriminatory reasons.