It is important for anyone who is in the market for a new home to look for the Equal Housing Opportunity logo. This logo is a symbol of an equal sign inside of a home which represents the Fair Housing Act. To learn more about the Fair Housing Act when buying a home, continue reading and reach out to our experienced real estate attorney to protect your rights during the process of searching for a home.
What is the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act is also known as the Civil Rights Act which become law in 1968 when it was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against individuals who are looking to rent or buy a home based upon their race, sex, religion, color, origin, disability, familial status, etc. The Fair Housing Act symbol can typically be found on the paperwork of a landlord, real estate agent, or lender.
What are the most common examples of housing discrimination?
All parties that you interact with when you are on the market for a new home are obligated to uphold the Fair Housing Act. This includes real estate agents, sellers, lenders, landlords, property management companies, and more. It is possible for these parties to violate the Fair Housing Act during any phase of the process, including advertising, searching, the application process, credit checks, eviction proceedings, etc.
The most common examples of housing discrimination include the following:
- Trying to keep a buyer away from a particular neighborhood
- Refusing to make accommodations for a disabled tenant
- Not renting to a family with children
- Requiring a family to pay a higher deposit
- Avoiding renting a property by saying the unit was already rented when it was not
- Charging a single woman a higher interest rate
- Evicting a person of color for a reason they would not evict another tenant for
- Asking questions or requiring excessive documentation from an immigrant couple
What can I do if I was discriminated against?
You have the following options if you have been discriminated against and not given equal opportunity for housing:
- File a report with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- A complaint can also be filed through the National Fair Housing Alliance.
- Collect information from local housing agencies.
- Retain the services of an experienced and dedicated real estate attorney.
Contact Our Firm
Zimmet Law Group, P.C. is an experienced team of attorneys guiding clients through matters of estate planning and administration, divorce and family law, real estate, commercial litigation, business law, bankruptcy, and landlord-tenant law. If you require the services of an effective New York City attorney, contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
