Fair Housing Laws
By: Sophie Emerson
Hello Rams, I hope you’re all having a great summer! As students are coming back to campus and moving into/out of housing, we want to be sure that you know your rights as a renter. Housing discrimination based on the protected classes listed below is illegal in private housing, public housing, and housing that is funded federally. It is illegal within federal law to discriminate on account of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, and disability. In Colorado law, it is also illegal to discriminate on account of creed, ancestry, source of income, veteran or military status, and marital status as well as the categories listed in federal law. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 protects you from housing discrimination when renting, getting a mortgage, and seeking housing assistance. Below, there are prohibited housing practices if you are a member of a protected class.
Throughout the process of sale and rental of housing, discriminatory acts include:
· Refusal to rent or sell housing based on protected identity
· Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of housing
· Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
· Evict a tenant or a tenant’s guest
· Fail or delay maintenance or repairs
· Impose different sales prices or rental charges
Throughout the process of mortgage lending, discriminatory acts include:
· Refusal to make a mortgage loan or provide other financial assistance
· Refusal to provide information regarding loans
· Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees
· Discriminate in appraising housing
· Condition the availability of a loan on a person’s response to harassment
· Refusal to purchase a loan
For more information, the websites below list more illegal discriminatory acts and instructions on how to file a complaint. Lastly, our office can offer assistance and Student Legal Services in the Lory Student Center can help if you have experienced any of the above discriminatory acts if you are a part of a protected class.