What we verified in “Housing discrimination: how to file a complaint”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to refuse to rent or negotiate, or otherwise make a home unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin; to discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of a rental, or in related services, for those same reasons; to publish ads indicating a preference, limitation or discrimination for those reasons or disability; and to tell someone a home is not available when it is.

   Sources 1 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(a)–(d): 'To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin'; 'To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling'; 'any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination'; 'that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The Fair Housing Act also prohibits discriminating in a rental because of the disability of the renter or someone who lives or will live with them; that includes refusing to permit, at the disabled person's expense, reasonable modifications needed in the home, and refusing to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when needed for equal use and enjoyment of the home.

   Sources 1 · 42 U.S.C. §3604(f)(1)–(3): 'To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a handicap'; 'a refusal to permit, at the expense of the handicapped person, reasonable modifications of existing premises'; 'a refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The law defines 'familial status' as one or more children under 18 living with a parent, another person with legal custody or that person's written designee; the protection also covers anyone who is pregnant or in the process of securing legal custody of a child under 18.

   Sources 2 · 42 U.S.C. §3602(k): 'one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with'; 'a parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals'; 'with the written permission of such parent or other person'; 'shall apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. Federal law exempts from section 3604, except the advertising rule, certain single-family houses rented by a private owner who owns no more than three, without using a broker or agent, and rooms or units in buildings for up to four families when the owner lives in one of them.

   Sources 3 · 42 U.S.C. §3603(b): 'Nothing in section 3604 of this title (other than subsection (c)) shall apply to'; 'house sold or rented by an owner'; 'does not own more than three such single'; 'without the use in any manner of the sales or rental facilities or the sales or rental services of any real estate broker'; 'rooms or units in dwellings containing living quarters occupied or intended to be occupied by no more than four families living independently of each other, if the owner actually maintains and occupies one of such living quarters as his residence' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. Under the Fair Housing Act, an aggrieved person may file a complaint with HUD no later than one year after the discriminatory practice occurred or ended; HUD must notify the respondent within 10 days, must complete the investigation within 100 days unless that is impracticable, and must, to the extent feasible, try conciliation between the parties.

   Sources 4 · 42 U.S.C. §3610(a)(1)(A)(i): 'not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, file a complaint with the Secretary'; (a)(1)(B)(ii): 'not later than 10 days after such filing'; (a)(1)(B)(iv): 'complete such investigation within 100 days after the filing of the complaint'; 'unless it is impracticable to do so'; (b)(1): 'the Secretary shall, to the extent feasible, engage in conciliation with respect to such complaint' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. If a complaint falls under the jurisdiction of a state or local agency certified by HUD, HUD must refer it to that agency before acting; HUD certifies an agency only if the rights, procedures and remedies it offers are substantially equivalent to the federal ones.

   Sources 4 · 42 U.S.C. §3610(f)(1) and (3): 'the Secretary shall refer such complaint to that certified agency before taking any action with respect to such complaint'; 'are substantially equivalent to those created by and under this subchapter' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. An aggrieved person may file a lawsuit in federal or state court no later than 2 years after the discriminatory practice occurred or ended; that period does not count time during which an administrative proceeding on the complaint was pending; and the person may sue whether or not a complaint was filed with HUD.

   Sources 5 · 42 U.S.C. §3613(a)(1)(A)–(B) and (a)(2): 'not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice'; 'The computation of such 2-year period shall not include any time during which an administrative proceeding under this subchapter was pending'; 'whether or not a complaint has been filed under section 3610(a)' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with anyone for exercising their fair housing rights or for helping someone else exercise them.

   Sources 6 · 42 U.S.C. §3617: 'It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed'; 'on account of his having aided or encouraged any other person' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. HUD's rule prohibits retaliating against anyone because they made a complaint, testified, assisted or participated in a proceeding under the Fair Housing Act, or because they reported a discriminatory practice to a housing provider or other authority.

   Sources 7 · 24 CFR §100.400(c)(5)–(6): 'Retaliating against any person because that person has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in a proceeding under the Fair Housing Act'; 'Retaliating against any person because that person reported a discriminatory housing practice to a housing provider or other authority' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. HUD's rule gives examples of discrimination in rental terms: using different lease provisions, such as rent, security deposits or lease terms; failing or delaying maintenance or repairs; and subjecting someone to harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin.

    Sources 8 · 24 CFR §100.65(b)(1), (2) and (7): 'Using different provisions in leases or contracts of sale, such as those relating to rental charges, security deposits and the terms of a lease'; 'Failing or delaying maintenance or repairs of sale or rental dwellings'; 'Subjecting a person to harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. HUD's complaint rule says you must notify HUD within one year that you are a victim of discrimination; if there was more than one act or the discrimination is continuing, HUD must receive your information within one year of the last incident.

    Sources 9 · 24 CFR §103.35: 'you must notify us within one year that you are a victim of discrimination'; 'we must receive your information within one year of the last incident of discrimination' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. Under HUD's rule, you can file a complaint by mail or telephone with any HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) or with any state or local agency HUD has certified, and you can call or visit any other HUD office for help filing it.

    Sources 10 · 24 CFR §103.30: 'You can file a claim by mail or telephone with any of HUD's Offices of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity or with any State or local agency that HUD has certified to receive complaints'; 'You can call or go to any other HUD office for help in filing a claim' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. HUD's rule lists the information to provide: your name, address and phone numbers where you can be reached; the name and address of whoever you believe discriminated against you; the property's address and description; and a brief description of what happened, with the date and why you believe it was because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or having children under 18 in the household.

    Sources 11 · 24 CFR §103.25: 'Your name, address, and telephone numbers where you can be reached'; 'The name and address of the persons, businesses, or organizations you believe discriminated against you'; 'the property's address and physical description'; 'A brief description of how you were discriminated against'; 'the date when the discrimination happened'; 'the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. HUD's rule says its Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity can help you file a complaint if you contact it directly, and that you, or anyone acting for you, can ask any HUD office or an organization, individual or attorney for help.

    Sources 12 · 24 CFR §103.20: 'HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity can help you in filing a claim, if you contact them directly'; 'You, or anyone who acts for you, may also ask any HUD office or an organization, individual, or attorney to help you' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. Under HUD's rule, you may file a complaint if you know a discriminatory action is about to occur.

    Sources 13 · 24 CFR §103.15: 'you may file a claim with HUD if you have knowledge that a discriminatory action is about to occur' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. HUD explains that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability, and that complaints go to its Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO), online or by calling 1-800-669-9777.

    Sources 14 · Helping Americans, 'I need to report housing discrimination': 'The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability'; 'File a complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)'; 'Call: 1-800-669-9777' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. HUD says that when you contact its fair housing office (FHEO) you can ask for disability-related assistance, including reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services.

    Sources 15 · Contact information for FHEO Offices, 'Assistance for Persons with Disabilities': 'You can also ask for disability-related assistance when you contact FHEO, including reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. The Justice Department explains that national origin discrimination can be based on the country where a person was born or where their ancestors originated; that the law bars imposing special requirements or conditions on tenants with custody of children, such as an unreasonable restriction on the total number of people who may live in a home; that some facilities for people 55 and older may operate as housing for older persons; and that people who believe they were victims may file a complaint with HUD or their own lawsuit in federal or state court.

    Sources 16 · The Fair Housing Act (Civil Rights Division): 'Such discrimination can be based either upon the country of an individual's birth or where his or her ancestors originated'; 'the Act also prevents housing providers from imposing any special requirements or conditions on tenants with custody of children'; 'place an unreasonable restriction on the total number of persons who may reside in a dwelling'; 'some facilities may be designated as Housing for Older Persons (55 years of age)'; 'may file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] or file their own lawsuit in federal or state court' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. According to the CFPB, landlords generally cannot sexually harass you, refuse to rent to you, evict you, or change or set different rules for your rental because of your race, color, national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex, familial status (pregnancy and families with children) or disability; if you or your landlord receive federal housing assistance, you are also protected from discrimination based on age; and you can report it by filing a complaint with HUD.

    Sources 17 · Your tenant and debt collection rights (page last modified Feb. 20, 2026), 'Report housing discrimination': 'Landlords generally cannot'; 'Sexually harass you'; 'Refuse to rent to you'; 'Evict you, or'; 'Change or set different rules for your rental agreement because of your race, color, national origin (country of origin or ancestry), religion, sex, familial status (pregnancy and families with children), or disability'; 'If you or your landlord receive federal financial assistance for housing, you are also protected from housing discrimination based on age'; 'Report housing discrimination by filing a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The California Attorney General explains that in that state landlords may not discriminate based on, among other things, race, national origin, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, marital status, familial status or source of income (such as a Section 8 voucher), and private housing providers also may not discriminate based on citizenship, immigration status or primary language; that in most cases they may not ask about immigration status; that they may never threaten to disclose it to pressure a tenant to move out; and that complaints can be filed with the California Civil Rights Department.

    Sources 18 · Landlord-Tenant Issues, 'Discrimination': 'source of income (Section 8 vouchers, for example)'; 'private housing providers are prohibited from discriminating against tenants on the basis of citizenship, immigration status, primary language'; 'In most cases, landlords are not allowed to ask a tenant or prospective tenant their immigration or citizenship status'; 'Landlords are never allowed to threaten to disclose a tenant or occupant’s immigration status in order to pressure a tenant to move out'; 'You can also file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department' · Checked October 17, 2026

21. The New York Attorney General explains that in New York City tenants are also protected against discrimination based on immigration status; that statewide, landlords may not discriminate based on lawful source of income, including public assistance such as Section 8 vouchers; that a landlord may not require tenants to remain childless; that an aggrieved person should contact HUD within one year; and that in New York City a complaint can be filed with the Commission on Human Rights within one year.

    Sources 19 · Residential Tenants’ Rights Guide, 'Discrimination' (Executive Law §296(5); NYC Admin. Code §8-107): 'In New York City, tenants are further protected against discrimination with respect to lawful occupation, sexual orientation, partnership status, and immigration status'; 'New York State landlords are prohibited from discriminating against tenants based on lawful source of income'; 'a landlord may not require that tenants remain childless during their tenancy'; 'An aggrieved party should contact HUD within one year'; 'may file a complaint with the NYC Commission on Human Rights within one year' · Checked October 17, 2026

22. The New York State Division of Human Rights says the easiest way to report discrimination is to call (844) 697-3471; that reporting is free and you do not need an attorney to submit a report or file a complaint; that an investigation may take at least several months; that its investigators are neutral and cannot give legal advice; and that the law limits how long you have to report.

    Sources 20 · Report Discrimination: 'The easiest way to report discrimination is to call us at (844) 697-3471'; 'Reporting discrimination to the Division of Human Rights is free, and you do not need an attorney to submit a report or file a complaint'; 'you should expect the process of investigating your case to take at least several months, and sometimes longer'; 'cannot give legal advice to any party'; 'You have a limited amount of time under the law to report discrimination' · Checked October 17, 2026

23. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), which takes housing complaints in that state, requires that the property be in Texas, that in most cases the owner have more than three properties (not counting multifamily buildings) and that the complaint be filed within one year of the discrimination; and it warns that the same complaint cannot be filed with both TWC and HUD.

    Sources 21 · Housing Discrimination - Fair Housing, 'What is Needed for a Complaint': 'The property must be within the state of Texas'; 'The property owner, in most cases, must have more than three properties'; 'This does not include multi-family dwellings'; 'You must submit your complaint within one year from the date of the discrimination'; 'A complaint cannot be filed with both TWC and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)' · Checked October 17, 2026

24. The Texas Workforce Commission explains that, for the reasons the law protects, it is illegal discrimination to use different qualification criteria, applications or procedures, such as income standards, application requirements, application fees or credit analyses; to evict a tenant or a tenant's guest; and to fail or delay maintenance or repairs.

    Sources 21 · Housing Discrimination - Fair Housing, 'What Is Prohibited?': 'Use different qualification criteria or applications, or sale or rental standards or procedures, such as income standards, application requirements, application fees, credit analyses'; 'Evict a tenant or a tenant’s guest'; 'Fail or delay performance of maintenance or repairs' · Checked October 17, 2026

25. The Illinois Department of Human Rights explains that in that state housing providers may ask about immigration status only when state or federal law requires it; that immigration status discrimination can be reported within one year or taken to state court within two years; that you don't need to speak English, because the Department provides an interpreter; that you don't need to be a permanent resident or citizen to report; that no attorney or fee is required; that it is unlawful to retaliate against or intimidate anyone for reporting; and that it helps to keep detailed notes and save screenshots of ads and messages.

    Sources 22 · Immigration Status & Housing FAQ, questions 9, 11, 13 and 15–19: 'Housing providers may only ask applicants about their'; 'where they are required to do so to comply with state or federal laws'; 'within one year from the date when the discrimination occurred'; 'file a lawsuit in state court within two years'; 'The Illinois Department of Human Rights will provide an interpreter'; 'Do I need to be a Permanent Resident or U.S. Citizen to report discrimination? No'; 'An attorney is not required to process a charge of discrimination with IDHR'; 'There is no fee to report the incident'; 'It is unlawful to retaliate against or to intimidate any person for reporting discrimination'; 'keep detailed notes of your interactions'; 'Take photos or screenshots of advertisements immediately'; 'Save all related text messages and e-mails in a safe place' · Checked October 17, 2026

26. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC), established by Congress in 1974, funds civil legal aid for low-income Americans; on its site you enter an address or city to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you.

    Sources 23 · I Need Legal Help: 'LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans'; 'enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you' · Checked October 17, 2026