Fair Housing Act:
What It Is and What It Means 

(Title VIII of the 1968 Civil Rights Act)

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination with regard to the selling and leasing of real estate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

The major protections provided by the Act are as follows:

(1) A landlord may not refuse to rent to a person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

(2) A landlord may not discriminate in terms of conditions or privileges based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

(3) A landlord may not represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin that a dwelling is not available for rent when, in fact, it is.

The Fair Housing Act also makes it unlawful for a landlord to refuse to rent to a handicapped person and provides requirements regarding accessibility within the leased premises and common areas of the property.

Penalties, including attorney’s fees may be Ordered for violations of the Fair Housing Act. This office is experienced advising clients with regard to compliance with the Fair Housing Act and defending litigation arising under the Act.