The Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania, Fair Housing Discrimination Attorneys, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What you look like shouldn't affect where you are allowed to live. The Fair Housing Act protects tenants and home buyers from discrimination based on any protected attribute. If you have been turned down for housing based on an illegal bias, the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania can help you get into the home you love.

The Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords, realtors, and lenders from discriminating against possible tenants or buyers based on:

• Race, color, or national origin;
• Religion;
• Sex;
• Family status or the presence of children; or
• Disability.

It applies to almost every housing situation except for private clubs, owner-occupied small units, and single-family houses sold or rented without a broker. The protections apply to both the sale and rental of homes, and to financing.

Fair Housing Act Discrimination in Rental or Sales

When it comes to finding your home, you may have a Fair Housing Act claim if your landlord, realtor, or seller:

• Refuses to negotiate, rent, or sell you the home;
• Denies occupancy or make a space unavailable;
• Creates special conditions for sale or rental of a home;
• Advertises limitations or preferences for certain tenants or buyers;
• Persuades you to sell or rent your home (called blockbusting); or
• Denies you membership in a community association or facility connected to your house.

Fair Housing Act Discrimination in Financing

Once you find a home, you may need a mortgage or a loan to finance it. The Fair Housing Act prohibits lenders from:

• Refusing to make a mortgage loan;
• Withholding information related to the loan;
• Charging different interest rates or fees; or
• Discriminating in appraising the property.

Fair Housing Act and Disabilities

If you or someone in your household has a disability, you may have additional claims under the Fair Housing Act. Your landlord must:

• Make common areas handicap accessible;
• Make doors and hallways wheelchair accessible;
• Allow you to make modifications at your expense like hand rails or walk-in showers; and
• Make reasonable exceptions to rules and policies based on your disability (like allowing a service dog).

Filing a Fair Housing Act Complaint

If your landlord, realtor, seller, or lender has violated the Fair Housing Act, the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania can help you file a housing discrimination complaint in federal court. If an Administrative Law Judge finds that you have been the victim of discrimination, you could receive compensation for:

• Damages,
• Humiliation,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Attorney fees.

You may also be entitled to placement in the housing, and to changes in the housing or lending policy. The landlord or lender may also have to pay a civil penalty to the federal government for violating the law.

Hire the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania

Don't let discrimination keep you out of the home you want. Contact the Employment Law Firm of Pennsylvania today for a free phone consultation. Their experienced discrimination attorneys can help you protect your rights and get into your home.