Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:
Race or color
National Origin
Religion
Sex
Familial status
Handicap

What Housing is Covered?

The Fair Housing Act covers most housing.  In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.

What is Prohibited?

In the Sale and Rental of Housing:  No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
·         Refuse to rent or sell housing
·         Refuse to negotiate for housing
·         Make housing unavailable
·         Deny a dwelling
·         Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental
          of a dwelling
·         Provide different housing services or facilities
·         Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental
·         For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
·         Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service
          (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental
          of housing.

In Mortgage Lending:  No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:
·         Refuse to make a mortgage loan
·         Refuse to provide information regarding loans
·         Impose different terms or conditions on a loan
·         Discriminate in appraising property
·         Refuse to purchase a loan or
·         Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

In Addition:  It is 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 race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
          familial status or handicap.  This prohibition against discriminatory
          advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing
          that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

If you feel you have been discriminated under the Fair Housing Act, please go here to complete a discrimination complaint form.

For more information see: 
Georgia Commission for Equal Opportunity 
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's
Fair Housing Office