What is housing discrimination?
If you feel you have been denied the right to rent, lease, or buy residential property due to any of the 8 protected classes, you may have been discriminated against, and you would have the right to file a fair housing complaint.
The 8 protected classes are race, color, religion, gender, familial status, national origin, disability and military status.
Listed below are some examples of housing discrimination:
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because he/she had a relative or friend who was of a different race/color; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected classes of Race or Color.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because of his/her religious beliefs; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of Religion.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because of his/her specific sex (male or female); this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of Gender.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because he/she had children; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of Familial Status.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because of his/her nationality; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of National Origin.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because of his/her disability; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of Disability.
- If a landlord will not rent to someone because he/she is in the military; this could be ruled as housing discrimination under the protected class of Military Status.
In addition, discrimination can also be possible in the real estate industry as well as in mortgage lenders and insurance companies (examples listed below):
- If a realtor discourages you from buying a home in a certain neighborhood on the basis of any of the protected classes;
- If a lender imposed different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan to a person, such as different interest rates, points or fees on the basis of any of the protected classes;
- If a lender denied a mortgage loan to a person due to being on public assistance;
- If an insurance company denied coverage to a person for home owner’s insurance on the basis of any of the protected classes.
Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Information
Any person who feels that they have been discriminated against has the right to file a complaint. A complaint form can be obtained by contacting the Belmont County Fair Housing Commission at (740) 695-2121, ext. 1006.
Once the local Fair Housing Commission has received back all necessary information, the Commission proceeds to follow through with an investigation. Both parties named in the complaint are contacted.
All documentation is then forwarded to Columbus. It is up to the individual complainant to follow up on the complaint filing with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
By clicking here, it will take you to the necessary forms (complaint form and DATA form) to print out and complete. If you feel you need more information, please contact the Belmont County Fair Housing Commission at the above listed phone number.
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