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If you’re in the market for a home, you’ve probably heard of the Fair Housing Act. This law was first passed in 1968 to prevent landlords and sellers from discriminating against individuals based on race, color, religion, or national origin and was later amended to protect against discrimination based on gender, sex, disability, or familial status. The law was a milestone when it passed and guarantees that no one can be turned away by a seller or landlord based on their attributes, not without facing legal consequences.
However, as a buyer, it might come as a surprise to know that the Fair Housing Act will impact your home search. Mainly in what an agent can or can’t do for you. Let’s look at the Fair Housing Act and see how it affects you as a buyer.
Fair Housing Act LawsFair Housing Act Laws
As mentioned above, the Fair Housing Act makes it illegal nationwide to discriminate against anyone based on:
- Race
- Familial status
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Disability (physical or mental)
- Sex
In addition to that, New York State Human Rights Law makes it illegal to discriminate based on:
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Marital status
- Military status
Along with all that, New Yorkers receive further protection. Under the New York City Human Rights Law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on:
- Alienage/citizenship status
- Domestic partnership status
- Gender identity
- Lawful occupation
- Lawful source of income
- Status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking
How do Fair Housing Act laws affect your home search?How do Fair Housing Act laws affect your home search?
We’ve talked endlessly about why having a buyer’s agent is essential for your home search. They know the real estate game back-to-front and will work tirelessly to find you a home based on your needs and desires. So, since they know a given neighborhood so well, it seems fair to ask them everything. However, despite how much they might want to help you, they can’t answer all your questions.
Under the Fair Housing Act, it is unlawful for a real estate agent to engage in discriminatory conduct towards any protected classes. This means they can’t accommodate individual requests from the buyer.
For example, if a newly married Catholic couple asked their agent to find a home close to a Catholic church in an “adults only” community, they cannot consider that request. This goes for anything, whether a specific church, ethnic composition, or age group. Even when a buyer is adamant that this be part of their equation in determining what homes to show them, the agent must refuse, regardless.
It’s a buyer’s choice.It’s a buyer’s choice.
A buyer’s agent may not answer any direct questions about the age, ethnic composition, or neighborhood safety. But they can point you in the right direction of information that will allow you to come to your conclusion. Whether an area is safe or not is a subjective decision. Your agent can suggest websites, and other sources to get your information but cannot give their judgment. That’s up to the buyer to decide. If you wish to rule out specific properties and neighborhoods based on essential factors, that’s your decision.
The Fair Housing Act exists to ensure everyone has an equal chance at achieving homeownership on their terms. By researching neighborhoods, you can choose a home that perfectly suits your needs and preferences.