The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that an individual will 
experience in their lifetime. It is more than the simple purchase of housing, for it directly impacts 
the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason that the 
Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee a right to a national housing 
market free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, and national origin.

THE LAW

Civil Rights Act of 1866

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. 
The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of housing, or making housing 
otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in 
places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any aspect of a credit 
application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or because all or part 
of the applicant's income derives from any public assistance program..

State and Local Laws

State and local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination based on additional classes 
not covered by federal law.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the law.

For the Home Seller

As a home seller or landlord you have a responsibility and a requirement under the law not to discriminate 
in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, 
or national origin. You cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson acting as your agent to convey for you any 
limitations in the sale or rental because the real estate professional is also bound by law not to discriminate. Under the 
law, a home seller or landlord cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental; deny that 
housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, 
familial status, or national origin.

For the Home Seeker

You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or other limitations based on race, 
color, religion, sex handicap, familial status, or national origin.

This includes the right to expect:

• Housing in your price range made available to you without discrimination;

• Equal professional service;

• The opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices;

• No discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing;

• No discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing;

• Reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for persons with disabilities;

• Non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental, financing, or insuring of a dwelling; and

• To be free from harassment or intimidation for exercising your fair housing rights.

For the Real Estate Professional

Agents in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, 
handicap, familial status, or national origin. A request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner 
in the sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.

IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Complaints alleging discrimination in housing may be filed with the nearest office of the United States Department of Housing 
and Urban Development (HUD), or by calling HUD's toll free numbers, 1-800-699-9777 (voice), or 1-800-543-8294 (TDD).

Contact HUD on the internet at http://www.hud.gov/fhe/fheo.html