Housing Discrimination,
fought and stopped.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Our AI Legal Nerds help you recognize discrimination, document evidence, and file effective complaints.
Protected Classes Under the Fair Housing Act
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on seven protected characteristics. Many states and cities add additional protections.
Race & Color
Landlords, sellers, and lenders cannot discriminate based on race or skin color in any aspect of a housing transaction.
National Origin
Discrimination based on where someone was born, their ancestry, culture, or language is prohibited under federal law.
Religion
Housing providers cannot refuse to rent, sell, or provide loans based on a person's religious beliefs or practices.
Sex
Sex discrimination in housing — including sexual harassment by landlords — is prohibited. Many courts also interpret this to include gender identity and sexual orientation.
Familial Status
Landlords cannot discriminate against families with children under 18, pregnant women, or people in the process of adopting.
Disability
Housing providers must make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities and allow reasonable modifications to the property.
State & Local Additions
Many states and cities add protections for source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, and age. Our AI identifies your specific local protections.
Disparate Impact
Even neutral policies that disproportionately harm protected classes can violate the Fair Housing Act without any discriminatory intent.
Examples of Illegal Housing Discrimination
Rental Discrimination
- •Refusing to rent based on race, religion, or national origin
- •Applying different rental standards to different groups
- •Steering applicants toward or away from certain neighborhoods
- •Advertising "no children" or "Christians preferred"
Mortgage Discrimination
- •Redlining — refusing loans in minority neighborhoods
- •Charging higher rates or fees based on protected class
- •Requiring larger down payments from certain groups
- •Steering minorities toward subprime loans
Disability Discrimination
- •Refusing to allow a service animal despite a no-pets policy
- •Denying a request for a ground floor unit for mobility reasons
- •Refusing to allow installation of grab bars or ramps
- •Failing to provide accessible common areas in new construction
How to File a Fair Housing Complaint
Document everything
Write down dates, times, exact words used, and names of witnesses. Save all written communications. Take photos if relevant. Documentation is the foundation of every successful complaint.
File with HUD
File a complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within one year of the discriminatory act. Our AI helps you draft a compelling complaint with all required information.
File with state agency
Many states have their own fair housing agencies with shorter statutes of limitations but sometimes stronger remedies. Our AI identifies your state's agency and filing requirements.
Pursue civil action
You can file a private lawsuit in federal court within two years. Remedies include actual damages, punitive damages up to $100,000, and attorney fees. Our AI helps you find experienced fair housing attorneys.
Housing discrimination is illegal — fight back
Get expert AI guidance on documenting discrimination and filing an effective complaint with HUD or your state agency.