WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING
The selection of residential
housing is one of the most significant events that an individual will
experience in their lifetime. It is more than the simple rental
of an apartment, for it directly affects the hopes, dreams, aspirations,
and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason that
the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to
guarantee a right to a national rental housing market free from discrimination
based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, marital status, military
discharge status, parental status, age, sexual
orientation, source
of income, ancestry, nationality
or national
origin.
THE LAW
Civil Rights Act of 1866
The Civil Rights Act
of 1866 prohibits all racial discrimination in the rental of property.
Fair Housing Act 
The Fair Housing Act
declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States.
The law makes illegal any discrimination in the lease or rental of housing,
or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Chicago Fair Housing Ordinance
The Chicago Fair Housing
Ordinance will assure full and equal opportunity to all residents of the
city to obtain fair and adequate housing for themselves and their families
in the city of Chicago without discrimination against them because of
their race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry,
sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge
status or source of income.
Americans
with Disabilities Act 
Title III of the Americans
with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities
in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.
Equal
Credit Opportunity Act
The Equal Credit Opportunity
Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any aspect of a credit
application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
marital status, age or because all or part of the applicant's income derives
from any public assistance program.
State and Local Laws
State and local laws
often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination based on additional
classes not covered by federal law.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
The lessee, the lessor,
and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities
under the law.
For the Lessor (
Lee Street Management )
As a landlord, Lee Street
Management has a responsibility and a requirement
under the law not to discriminate in the rental of property on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national
origin. We cannot instruct a licensed broker or salesperson acting
as our agent to convey to you any limitations in our available apartments
because the real estate professional is also bound by law not to discriminate.
Under the law, Lee Street Management cannot establish discriminatory terms
or conditions in the rental, deny that housing is available, or advertise
that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
For the Lessee (
Tenant )
You have the right to
expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or
other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex handicap, familial
status or national origin.
This includes the right
to expect:
- Housing in your price range made available to
you without discrimination;
- Equal professional service;
- The opportunity to consider a broad range of
housing choices;
- No discriminatory limitations on communities
or locations of housing;
- No discrimination in the application process,
pricing or insuring of housing;
- Reasonable accommodations in rules, practices
and procedures for persons with disabilities;
- Non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the
application process, pricing, or insuring of a dwelling; and
- To be free from harassment or intimidation for
exercising your fair housing rights.
For the Real Estate
Professional
Agents in a real estate
transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of
race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
A request from the landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale,
lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.
THE REALTOR®
FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
The NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS ® has developed a Fair Housing
Program to provide resources and guidance to REALTORS® in ensuring
equal professional services for all people. The term REALTOR®
identifies a licensed professional in real estate who is a member of the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Not all licensed real
estate brokers and salespersons are members of the National Association,
and only those who are may identify themselves as REALTORS®.
They conduct their business and activities in accordance with a strict
Code of Ethics.
The Code of Ethics
Article 10 of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Code of
Ethics provides that "REALTORS® shall not deny equal
professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTORS®
shall not be a party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against
a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
familial status or national origin."
A REALTOR®
pledges to conduct business in keeping with the spirit and letter of the
Code of Ethics. Article 10 imposes obligations upon REALTORS®
and is a firm statement of support for equal opportunity in housing.
IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
Call the Local Board
of REALTORS®
Local Boards of REALTORS®
will accept complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics filed
by an apartment seeker who alleges discriminatory treatment in the availability
rental of housing. Local Boards of REALTORS® have a responsibility
to enforce the Code of Ethics through professional standards procedures
and corrective action in cases where a violation of the Code of Ethics
is proven to have occurred.
Call the US Department
of Housing and Urban Development
Complaints alleging
discrimination in housing may be filed with the nearest office of the
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or by
calling HUD's toll free numbers, 1-800-669-9777 (voice), or 1-800-543-8294
(TDD).
