The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of:
- Race or Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
It is illegal to discriminate against persons belonging to any one of the above listed legally protected classes in any of the following situations:
- Refusal to rent or sell housing to any person who is legally protected by the Act
- Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for a sale or rental to any person who is legally protected by the Act
- Providing different housing services or facilities to any person who is legally protected by the Act
- Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental to any person who is legally protected by the Act
- Refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules or services for a disabled person, that have been deemed necessary by a physician
- Refusal to allow a disabled person to make reasonable accommodations to his/her dwelling
- Threatening or interfering with anyone making a fair housing complaint
If you think your rights to fair housing have been violated, help is available. Housing discrimination complaints can be filed with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and/or with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
- You can file an online complaint at the HUD website https://portal.hud.gov/FHEO903/Form903/Form903Start.action Or contact the local HUD office at (800) 496-4294
- You may file a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights on-line at https://bias.njcivilrights.gov/en-US/