The Fair Housing Act (FHA) makes it illegal for various real estate and lending institutions to take part in discriminatory practices against certain groups of people. Entities and occupations subject to FHA regulation include:
All of these institutions are banned from discriminating on the basis of several characteristics. They are:
Put simply, the FHA aims to ensure that institutions in the real estate industry treat people equally and do not discriminate based on the previously mentioned characteristics. Moreover, in all aspects of real estate—such as buying and selling homes, lending home loans, renting properties, and advertising real estate services—the FHA explicitly outlaws discriminatory practices.
The FHA explicitly prohibits all covered institutions from discriminating based on race, sex, religion, disability, or familial status. Specifically, this applies when:
You also have the option to sue the entity that discriminated against you. As a result, taking action can entitle you to compensation for any hardship or injury you have endured.
Additionally, you have the option to file a complaint with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. You can submit it online through their website or mail it directly to them. Specifically, the complaint should include:
Do you feel like you or a loved one have been discriminated against by a real estate agency or licensee? Get in touch with our law firm KAASS Law for legal assistance right away.
Under federal law, victims of housing discrimination must act quickly. It is important to note that there is a limited time frame for filing a lawsuit. Specifically, you may file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Within one year of the alleged violation.
However, if you want to file a civil lawsuit in court, you have two years to file a complaint. Filing a complaint with HUD may suspend the statute of limitations for a court action. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible. This will help you avoid all risks, including the risk of losing your right to defend yourself.
If you have been the victim of discrimination, the court may award you various forms of compensation. For example:
In addition, the court may order the wrongdoer to change a policy or practice. This is to prevent similar cases in the future. In some cases, it is also possible to recover attorney’s fees. This is especially true if your claim was successful.
Contacting an attorney is the most important and first step in protecting your rights. An attorney can:
An attorney can also determine if the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) has been violated. This is a California law that complements the federal law. This is especially important if the discrimination occurred within the state.
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