Why is Fair Housing important?

The Fair Housing Act was passed in 1968 and enforced law that would make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on:

1.  Race
2.  Color
3.  National Origin
4.  Sex
5.  Familial Status
6.  Religion
7.  Disability

If you believe you have been discriminated against, while trying to purchase or rent a home based on any of the above protected classes, you are encouraged to contact HUD.gov and report it.  I have been actively involved in the Equal Housing from my first day in the Mortgage and Real Estate Industry.  It is very important that every agent/broker knows and is sensitive to the public, and dealing with the public.  If you own real estate, it is your duty to educate anyone involved with dealing with the public, from leasing to maintenance.  They need to know how to interact properly with the people who lease property on your premises.

There ARE exemptions from this:
1.  When certain conditions are met, owners of single family homes are exempt when selling the home without the use of an agent and broker, so long as they are not discriminatory in advertising.
2.  The leasing of residential space of a 1-4 unit building, so long as the parties are not discriminatory in advertising and one of the units is owner occupied.
3.  Facilities owned by private and religious organizations may be leased to members for non-commercial purposes.

And this is NOT to be confused with denying rent for legitimate reasons:
Inadequate Credit
Inadequate Income
Misleading or False information given on the rental application
A negative rental rating
Or it may be that another rental applicant was just BETTER qualified.

If you contact HUD because of any of the above reasons, or conditions under the exemptions, they will most likely not be able to assist you.