Equal Housing Opportunity
Equal Housing Opportunity
WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING
The selection of residential housing is one of the most significant events that an individual will experience in their lifetime. It is more than the simple rental of an apartment, for it directly affects the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason that the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee a right to a national rental housing market free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, military discharge status, parental status, age, sexual orientation, source of income, ancestry, nationality or national origin.
THE LAW
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the rental of property.
The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the lease or rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance
The Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance will assure full and equal opportunity to all residents of the city to obtain fair and adequate housing for themselves and their families in the city of Chicago without discrimination against them because of their race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status or source of income.
Americans
with Disabilities Act 
Title III of the Americans
with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities
in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any aspect of a credit application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or because all or part of the applicant's income derives from any public assistance program.
State and Local Laws
State and local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination based on additional classes not covered by federal law.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
The lessee, the lessor, and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the law.
For the Lessor ( Lee Street Management )
As a landlord, Lee Street Management has a responsibility and a requirement under the law not to discriminate in the rental of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. We cannot instruct a licensed broker or salesperson acting as our agent to convey to you any limitations in our available apartments because the real estate professional is also bound by law not to discriminate. Under the law, Lee Street Management cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the rental, deny that housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
For the Lessee ( Tenant )
You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex handicap, familial status or national origin.
This includes the right to expect:
For the Real Estate Professional
Agents in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. A request from the landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.
THE REALTOR® FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® has developed a Fair Housing Program to provide resources and guidance to REALTORS® in ensuring equal professional services for all people. The term REALTOR® identifies a licensed professional in real estate who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Not all licensed real estate brokers and salespersons are members of the National Association, and only those who are may identify themselves as REALTORS®. They conduct their business and activities in accordance with a strict Code of Ethics.
The Code of Ethics
Article 10 of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Code of Ethics provides that "REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTORS® shall not be a party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin."
A REALTOR® pledges to conduct business in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Code of Ethics. Article 10 imposes obligations upon REALTORS® and is a firm statement of support for equal opportunity in housing.
IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
Call the Local Board of REALTORS®
Local Boards of REALTORS® will accept complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics filed by an apartment seeker who alleges discriminatory treatment in the availability rental of housing. Local Boards of REALTORS® have a responsibility to enforce the Code of Ethics through professional standards procedures and corrective action in cases where a violation of the Code of Ethics is proven to have occurred.
Call the US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Complaints alleging discrimination in housing may be filed with the nearest office of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or by calling HUD's toll free numbers, 1-800-669-9777 (voice), or 1-800-543-8294 (TDD).
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Contact HUD on the internet at http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/index.cfm |
