Fair Housing Act: The Basics of Fair Housing Laws
Whether you own one investment property or manage 200 units, it’s important for you and your team to understand and abide by applicable federal, state and local fair housing laws; promote an equal housing opportunity for tenants; and run a compliant rental business.
The Fair Housing Act is the federal law that grants fair housing protections and rights to renters and buyers. The act was originally adopted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and it was subsequently broadened in 1988 to prohibit discrimination because of a person’s protected class when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other housing-related activities.
What does equal housing opportunity mean?
Equal housing opportunity is the notion that all persons should be granted the same chances when it comes to choosing housing. This law is administered and enforced by the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), an office within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD was given enforcement responsibility by the Fair Housing Act of 1968 .*