What every buyer and seller should know about Fair Housing Laws

Five major Acts of Congress have created protections for home buyers and sellers in the U.S.. These protections are known as Fair Housing Laws. Many states have enacted their own Acts which add additional protections. Locally cities and counties can add additional protections (or protected classes’s. Be sure to check what state and local laws in your area cover in addition to Federal Fair Housing Laws. There are exceptions and variables to these laws, inquire at your local governmental office for complete details.

-Federal Protections. Age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex.

-State and local protections. Sexual preference, ancestry, defining disability as both mental and physical,and military status.

-Blockbusting. When real estate agents suggest that renting to or selling a property to a member of a protected will negatively affect property values.

-Steering. When real estate agents suggest specific neighbors based on the clients age,color, disability, familial and martial status, national origin, public assistance, race, religion, and sex. Homebuyers and renters should consider and look at properties in any area they wish.

-Discrimination. The intentional policy or practice that results in unequal treatment of a person or persons in a protected class.

-Complaints. File Fair Housing Complaints with the Federal or your local office of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development.