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Fair Housing LawsHomeBuy Direct proudly adheres to all applicable state and federal fair housing laws. Federal and state fair housing laws were established to create equal housing opportunities for home buyers living in the United States in all areas of a real estate transaction. These laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Please be aware of the following laws that protect homebuyers in the sale of property:Civil Rights Act of 1866 The federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits any racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property. Civil Rights Act of 1968 and 1988 Amendment In leasing or selling residential property, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 expands the initial definition of discrimination beyond race to include national origin, color, and religion. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 further extends the definition to include age, sex, and handicapped status. Equal Credit Opportunity Act The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, enacted in 1974, makes it unlawful for a creditor to discriminate against an applicant, with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age, to the fact that all or part of the applicant’s income derives from a public assistance program, or to the fact that the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. Fair Housing Act The federal Fair Housing Act of 1988 and Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 constitute the Fair Housing Act. The Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs, services, and activities provided or made available by public entities. HUD enforces Title II when it relates to state and local public housing, housing assistance and housing referrals. Seller’s Responsibilities A home seller or landlord may not discriminate in the sale, rental or financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Also, a home seller or landlord cannot discriminate through his/her licensed broker or salesperson, who is also bound by anti-discrimination laws. A home seller or landlord may not set any discriminatory terms or conditions in a purchase contract or a lease. Additionally, a home seller or landlord may not deny that housing is available or advertise a property's availability only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Real Estate Professionals' Responsibilities Real Estate agents, mortgage brokers and loan officers in a real estate transaction are also bound by the anti-discrimination laws. They may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Equally as important, they may not follow such instructions from a home seller or landlord. How to File A Complaint Housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability is prohibited by federal law. If you have been trying to buy a home and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint. Discrimination complaints about housing may be filed with the nearest office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling HUD's toll-free telephone number at (800) 669-9777 or by following the procedures set forth on HUD’s Website at http://www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm. |