Fair Housing Act
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| WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING
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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.
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| THE LAW
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Civil Rights Act of 1866 The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial
discrimination in the sale or rental of property.
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| Fair Housing Act
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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.
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| Americans with Disabilities Act
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Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination
against persons with disabilities in places of public accommodations and
commercial facilities.
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| Equal Credit Opportunity Act
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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.
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| State and Local Laws
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State and local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination
based on additional classes not covered by federal law.
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| THE RESPONSIBILITIES
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The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have
rights and responsibilities under the law.
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| IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
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Call the Local Board of REALTORS®
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Local Boards of REALTORS® will accept complaints alleging violations of the
Code of Ethics filed by a home seeker who alleges discriminatory treatment in
the availability, purchase or rental of housing. Local Boards of REALTORS® have
a responsibility to enforce the Code of Ethics through professional standards
procedures and corrective action in cases where a violation of the Code of
Ethics is proven to have occurred.
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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. http://www.hud.gov
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