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The Fair
Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because
of:
- Race or color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
(including children under the age of 18 living with
parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people
securing custody of children under 18)
- Handicap (Disability)
What Housing Is Covered? The
Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some circumstances,
the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more
than four units, single-family housing sold or rented
without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations
and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
What Is Prohibited? In
the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of
the following actions based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
- Refuse to rent or
sell housing
- Refuse to negotiate
for housing
- Make housing unavailable
- Deny a dwelling
- Set different terms,
conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
- Provide different
housing services or facilities
- 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.
In Mortgage Lending:
No one may take any of the following actions based on race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or
handicap (disability):
- Refuse to make a
mortgage loan
- Refuse to provide
information regarding loans
- Impose different
terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest
rates, points, or fees
- Discriminate in
appraising property
- Refuse to purchase
a loan or
- Set different terms
or conditions for purchasing a loan.
In Addition:
It is illegal for anyone to:
- Threaten, coerce,
intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair
housing right or assisting others who exercise that
right
- Advertise or make
any statement that indicates a limitation or preference
based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against
discriminatory advertising applies to single-family
and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt
from the Fair Housing Act.
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