April is National Fair Housing Month — that’s why the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is reminding all area renters and buyers of their rights under the Texas Fair Housing Act and the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Both acts protect Texans from discriminatory housing practices related to the rental, purchase or financing of residential properties. In short, no one can take the following actions against renters, buyers or borrowers on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), nationality, disability or familial status:
- Refuse to rent or sell housing
- Refuse to negotiate for housing
- Advertise only to preferred groups
- Show apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods
- Say that housing is unavailable when it is available
- Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Deny access to membership in facilities or services (such as Multiple Listing Services)
- Refuse to make accommodations for mental or physical disabilities (including charging pet fees for service animals or refusing parking accommodations for residents with mobility challenges)
- Refuse to make a mortgage loan
- Refuse to provide information regarding loans
- Impose different terms or conditions on a loan (including different interest rates, points or fees)
- Deny property insurance
- Conduct unfair property appraisals
- Refuse to purchase a loan
- Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan
To learn more about the Federal Fair Housing act, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at hud.gov/fairhousing. Information on the Texas Fair Housing Act is available via the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
People who believe their rights have been violated can file a complaint under either the federal or state Fair Housing Act.