Fair Housing Laws: Discrimination Protection Guide 2025
The Fair Housing Act and state laws protect tenants from discrimination in housing. Understanding these protections helps you recognize and respond to illegal treatment.
Last Updated: January 2026
Federal Protected Classes
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on seven protected characteristics.
- Race and color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex (includes gender identity and sexual orientation)
- Familial status (families with children under 18)
- Disability (physical and mental)
- Many states add additional protected classes
Prohibited Discriminatory Actions
Discrimination can occur throughout the rental process and tenancy.
- Refusing to rent or show units
- Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges
- Advertising with discriminatory preferences
- Falsely stating units are unavailable
- Harassment or retaliation
- Refusing reasonable accommodations for disabilities
Reasonable Accommodations
Landlords must provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities.
- Service and emotional support animals (no pet fees)
- Physical modifications to the unit
- Reserved accessible parking
- Flexible lease terms for treatment
- Accommodations must be requested and verified
How to File a Complaint
If you experience discrimination, you can file complaints with HUD or state agencies.
- HUD complaint: File within 1 year of incident
- State agencies may have longer deadlines
- Document all incidents in writing
- Consult with a fair housing attorney for lawsuits
- Remedies include housing, damages, and penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
LeaseCraft provides document automation and general information — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and local rules change; verify requirements with your lease, state housing agency, or a licensed professional before acting on any estimate or summary on this page.