Your Rights / What to Do if You Think Your Rights
Have Been Violated.
The
Fair
Housing Act prohibits discrimination and discriminatory
advertising by people who rent or sell housing, homeowner
and renter’s insurance companies, mortgage companies,
cities and towns, builders, appraisers, and nursing homes,
among others. It is illegal to discriminate based on:
- Race
or Color
-
Religion
-
Sex/Gender
-
National Origin
-
Familial Status
-
Disability
Your
fair housing rights are violated when, because of these factors,
you are prevented from:
Viewing or renting an apartment
Viewing or buying a home
Applying for or obtaining a mortgage
Buying homeowner’s or renter’s insurance
EVERYONE
HAS A RIGHT TO FAIR HOUSING. Learn how to recognize
housing discrimination. Remember, discrimination is rarely
blatant. It can be disguised and often occurs with a handshake
and a smile. Be suspicious when you hear lines like:
“I
rented that apartment right after you called.”
“I'll show you the apartment after I see your green
card.”
“Our children’s building is full.”
“I don’t really want a ramp and grab bars here.”
“Do you think you can afford this neighborhood?”
“There’s a long waiting list for these apartments,
but I can get you in if you’re nice to me.”
“Fill out the application and someone will get back
to you.”
“We’ll need an extra security deposit for your
kids.”
“I'm glad you’ve completed a recovery program,
but I still think it’s too risky to rent to you.”
“The owner just took the house off the market.”
“You have to have a job to live here.”
“How many people will be coming in and out?”
For
more information on your housing rights, consult the HUD publication
Fair
Housing--It’s Your Right, available in English and
Equidad
de vivienda--Es su derecho en Español.
If you believe that your housing rights have been violated,
TAKE ACTION and contact the Central Alabama
Fair Housing Center as soon as possible.
For
More Information on Your Rights Under the Fair Housing Act,
Please Consult:
National
Housing Law Project
www.nhlp.org
National
Fair Housing Alliance
www.nationalfairhousing.org
Tennessee
Fair Housing Council
www.fairhousing.com
Leadership Council for Civil Rights
www.civilrights.org/issues/housing/
HUD
Office of Policy Development and Research
www.huduser.org
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