Fair Housing

It's Your Right!

Who is protected?

Federally Protected Classes:

• Race
• Color
• National Origin
• Sex
• Disability
• Religion
• Familial status (the presence of children under the age of 18)

Additional Statewide Protections (Ohio):

• Ancestry
• Military Status

Some local laws also prohibit housing discrimination based on:

• Sexual Orientation
• Marital Status
• Creed
• Age
• Gender Identity
• Source of Income

What is Prohibited?

These actions are illegal if they are done because a person belongs to a protected class:

Rental and Sale of Housing:

• Refuse to rent or sell housing
• Refuse to negotiate for housing
• Make housing unavailable or otherwise restrict choice
• Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of housing
• Provide different housing services or facilities
• Falsely deny that housing is available
• Persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
• Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale or rental of housing
• Retaliate against a person for making a fair housing complaint.

Mortgage Lending and Insurance:

• Refuse to make a mortgage loan or provide homeowners insurance
• Refuse to provide information regarding loans or insurance
• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different rates, or fees
• Discriminate in appraising property
• Refuse to purchase a loan
• Set different terms or conditions to purchase a loan

It is also illegal for anyone to:

• Threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
• Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on a protected class, such as “No Children,” or “Christians Only,” or “Prefer single female.”

For more information see our:            

Tenant/Landlord Facts

Fair Housing Overview - Español 

Community Guide to Fair Housing

You Have the Right to Live Where You Choose

Fair Housing Brochure - 2024

Tenant and Landlord Rights Brochure - 2024

For Legal Help See;

http://www.lawolaw.org/                                                                                                                                Informational video by HUD on the Basics of Fair Housing

or

https://crc.ohio.gov/FilingaCharge/Housing.aspx

 For more information, to schedule a training, or to file a complaint please call 800-941-4558.