Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act

Fair Housing laws are designed to protect your right to seek housing anywhere you can afford to live. The Fair Housing Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Fair Housing Act protects you against violations of your housing rights and prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of:

  • Ancestry (Ohio Law)
  • Color
  • Disability
  • Familial status
  • National origin
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Military Status (Ohio Law)

Legal Discriminatory Practices

The Fair Housing Act also prohibits discrimination in mortgage lending, the sale or rental of real estate, and insurance coverage. There are many illegal discriminatory practices. However, you have the right to:

  • Seek housing anywhere you can afford to live
  • Inspect any apartment or house that is offered for rent or for sale
  • Be offered the same information, financial and insurance terms, and courtesy as everyone else

Violations

The following are examples of violations of the Fair Housing Act:

  • Refusal to rent, sell, negotiate for housing, or otherwise make housing unavailable to certain people
  • Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling
  • Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing
  • Imposing different terms or conditions on a loan or insurance policy
  • Refusal to allow a tenant to make reasonable modifications to his/her dwelling or a common use area, at the tenant's expense, if modification is necessary for a person with disabilities to use the housing (Where reasonable, the landlord may require the tenant to restore to its original condition when he/she moves out)
  • Refusal to make accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services necessary for a person with disabilities to use the housing (for example, an exception to a "no pets" policy, for a tenant with a service/companion animal)

Predatory Lending

If you feel that you have been a victim of unfair, discriminatory, predatory lending practices, or you feel that your rights have been violated, please contact Jill Meyer at (937) 440-8121. We can help you identify the warning signs and characteristics of unfair lending practices. We can also offer advice on what your next step should be.

The Ohio Attorney General's office may also be able to assist you in a predatory lending situation. If you feel that you have been cheated in the marketplace, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office over the phone by calling (800) 282-0515 or online.

Fair Housing Materials

Miami County Fair Housing Brochure (PDF)
Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities (PDF)
Children and Housing (PDF)

More Information

For further information or assistance, visit:

For information or assistance with landlord / tenant disputes or fair housing matters, please contact Jill Meyer at (937) 440-8121.