WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING

The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that
any person will experience in their lifetime. It is more that the simple
purchase of housing, for it includes the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and
economic destiny of those involved.

THE LAW

Civil Rights Act of 1866

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or
rental of property.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout
the Untied States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale,
lease or rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable,
because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national
origin.

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.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

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 home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have
rights and responsibilities under the law.

For the Home Seller

As a home seller or landlord you have a responsibility and a requirement
under the law not to discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of
property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status,
or national origin. You cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson
acting as you agent to convey for you any limitations in the sale or rental
because the real estate professional is also bound by law not to
discriminate. Under the law, a home seller or landlord cannot establish
discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or 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 Home Seeker

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:

housing in your price range made available to you without
discrimination

equal professional service
the opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices
no discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing
no discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing
reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for
persons with disabilities
non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental,
financing, or insuring of a dwelling
to be free from harassment or intimidation for exercising your fair
housing rights.

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 home seller or 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 also 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 a home seeker who alleges discriminatory
treatment in the availability, purchase or 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 U.S. 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,
1-800-699-9777 (voice), or 1-800-543-8294 (TDD).

Contact HUD on the internet at http://www.hud.gov/fhe/fheo.html.

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