Federal, State and Local Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Laws protect individuals from housing discrimination. It is unlawful to discriminate based on certain protected characteristics, which include, but are not limited to:
- race
- creed
- color
- national origin
- sexual orientation
- gender identity or expression
- military status
- sex
- age
- disability
- marital status
- lawful source of income
- familial status
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL FAIR HOUSING VIOLATIONS
- Refusing to rent, sell or show a property based on a potential tenant or purchaser’s protected characteristic.
- Quoting a higher price to a purchase or renter because of the potential purchaser or tenant’s protected characteristic
- Refusing to rent to a tenant who has children or increasing a security deposit based on the number of children who will be living in the apartment
- Steering prospective tenants or purchasers to certain neighborhoods based on any protected characteristics.
- Refusing to rent to a potential tenant because of their source of income, including nut not limited to, Section 8 vouchers or other government subsidies
- Refusing to waive a “no pet” policy for tenants that require a service, assistance or emotional support animal.
- Discriminating at the direct of a seller or landlord or because it is the preference of a seller or landlord.
- Refusing to rent to a renter who is a victim of domestic violence.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT
- New York State, Department of State: (518) 474-4429
- New York State, Division of Human Rights: (844) 862-8703
ALBANY OFFICE: One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 22001, Albany NY 12201-2001
Customer Service: (518) 474-4429 – Website: www.dos.ny.gov – E-Mail: licensing@dos.ny.gov
Regional Offices
BINGHAMTON – BUFFALO – HAUPPAUGE – NEW YORK CITY – UTICA