The federal Fair Housing Act and Florida Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination in sales, rentals, lending, insurance, or advertising related to housing, on the basis of:

Race · Color · National Origin · Religion

Sex · Disability (includes HIV Status)

Familial Status (as in having/expecting children)

Miami-Dade County’s local fair housing laws provide protection against discrimination on these additional bases:

Age · Ancestry · Marital Status

Being a Victim of Domestic Violence

Gender Expression or Identity

Sexual Orientation · Source of Income

Broward County’s local fair housing laws provide protection against discrimination on these additional bases:

Age · Being a Victim of Domestic Violence

Gender Expression or Identity · Marital Status

Political Affiliation · Sexual Orientation

Source of Income · Veteran Status

Know your rights!

In any housing-related transactions, it is illegal for you to be treated differently because of the reasons above.  As we all grapple with COVID-19, it is crucial to know what actions are illegal.  Examples (this is only a handful examples; you may experience something else that is also illegal):

-A realtor cannot refuse to show you certain homes because you come from (or they even just think you come from) a country where COVID-19 is a big problem.  This is discrimination based on national origin.

-A property manager cannot impose different rules on you because you are suspected to have health issues related to COVID-19.  This is discrimination based on disability.  Also, a landlord cannot prohibit a person with a disability from receiving visitors providing assistance with disability-related needs.

-A landlord cannot make you live in a certain area because you have children and the landlord is worried that the children won’t be careful about self-quarantining.  This is discrimination based on familial status.

-A condo association cannot deny your tenancy because people of your faith do not seem to follow COVID-19 health protocols.  This is discrimination based on religion.

-Your building’s maintenance people cannot refuse to provide you services because they believe that COVID-19 is prevalent among people of your racial background.  This is discrimination based on race.

It is understandable that housing providers might be concerned about health, but if they want to impose health-related rules, the same rules need to apply to everybody!

If you suspect discrimination, please call HOPE, Inc! 

Miami-Dade: (305) 651-4673

Broward: (954) 567-0545