Which housing discrimination is illegal? Know your rights!
Housing discrimination laws cover rentals AND sales. You are protected in cases of illegal discrimination at the hands of a current or potential housing provider.
The amended federal Fair Housing Act prohibits, nationally, any discrimination in the sale, rental, lending, insurance, or advertising of housing on the basis of: Race · Color · National Origin · Religion · Disability · Sex · Familial Status (as in whether or not you have children)
Florida’s fair housing laws provide protection against discrimination on these additional bases: HIV Status · Pregnancy
Miami-Dade County’s local fair housing laws provide protection against discrimination on these additional bases: Age · Ancestry · Being a Victim of Domestic Violence · Gender Expression or Identity · Marital Status · 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 · Sexual Orientation · Source of Income · Veteran Status · Political Affiliation
There may be further protections under your city’s laws.
PLEASE NOTE – if you hear that you’re denied/delayed/treated differently for something other than the reasons listed above, ask yourself if it’s just an excuse to hide illegal discrimination. For example, you’re told that you have a bad criminal background or credit score, so you are denied housing, but you have reason to believe that the real problem is that you have children or it’s your race….they just won’t come out and say it. Many times, the people who do the discriminating know what they can tell you and what they can’t, so if you think they’re actually hiding illegal practices, let us know!