The Fair Housing Act and How it Applies to You

The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some cases, it exempts owner-occupied buildings with less than four units, single-family homes rented or sold without using a broker and housing, which is operated by private organizations that limit occupants to members. The HUD played a major role in the administration of the Fair Housing Act since it began in 1968. Nevertheless, amendments have changed and increased the enforcement role of the department. The act prohibits discrimination based on color, race, national origin, religion and sex. When it was amended in 1988, it was altered to include discrimination against disabled persons and familial status, like the presence of children below 18. The act makes it unlawful for any person to refuse housing accommodations to disabled persons.
Another kind of discrimination that is not allowed by the FHA is the refusal by homeowners associations or housing providers to grant a permit to modify the property when the modification is necessary for the resident’s full enjoyment and comfort of the premises. What the FHA considers as reasonable modification is a structural alteration of the current building occupied or to be occupied by a disable person. While the homeowner association permits the modification, the tenant should be responsible for the expenses of the modification.
When it comes to rental or sale of a property, nobody should refuse rent or sell, make housing unavailable or refuse to negotiate housing to persons based on their color, race, religion, sex, disability, national origin and familial status. Furthermore, when it comes to mortgage lending, no lending or mortgage company may take the following actions such as refusal to make a mortgage loan, refusal to provide information about loans, impose different conditions, interest rates and fees and discrimination in property appraisal. It is also illegal for anyone to coerce, threaten, intimidate or interfere with anyone who exercises a fair housing actor helping others to exercise that right.
If you think your rights are violated, the HUD is ready to help you. You can submit a complaint where you can submit online, write a letter or call the HUD office nearest you. You are given a year to file a complaint against an alleged violation, but it is preferable if you file it immediately. When filing a complaint, you should include your name and address, the name and address of the person you are complaining against, address and other identification of the housing involved, date of the violation and a brief description of the alleged violation. The HUD investigates your complaint and allows the person to submit an answer, investigates and informs you if it is unable to complete an investigation within 100 days upon receipt of the complaint.
The HUD will try to reach an agreement, which is called as the conciliation agreement to protect you and the public interest. If the agreement is signed, the HUD will not take further action on your complaint. Nevertheless, if it has a reasonable cause that the agreement is breached, the HUD will recommend an Attorney General to file a case. The Fair Housing Act has been in effect for more than twenty years now.

Find the square footage you need in
Scripps Ranch San Diego CA Three-Bedroom Houses, more rooms in
4 Bedroom Homes in Scripps Ranch San Diego CA and
5-Bedroom Homes for Sale in Scripps Ranch San Diego CA