Home Buyers & Sellers: Know Your Fair Housing Laws

Presented By Horizon Connects

(Columbus) — The monthly observance of the Fair Housing Act’s passage concludes this week, but homebuyers and sellers and their real estate agents should have the law at the forefront of their minds year-round. 

“Real estate professionals are reminded they should strive to maintain and establish high standards of professional conduct and integrity in dealings with the public and other licensees,” said Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing Superintendent Anne Petit. “Real estate professionals should remain aware of the importance of fair housing laws and the impact of the regulations on equality in a real estate transaction.” 

In the U.S., millions of housing discrimination instances occur each year but often go unreported. In 2020, there were more than 28,700 complaints filed with fair housing organizations, local and state Fair Housing Assistance Program agencies, and the U.S. departments of Housing and Urban Development, and Justice. Most of those complaints include discrimination based on disability (15,664 complaints), race (4,821), and familial status (2,276). 

Real estate brokers and their sales associates are expected to keep fair housing laws in mind. Brokerage offices, for instance, are required to display fair housing posters that communicate that blockbusting is illegal as well as discriminating against any person’s race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, military status, disability, or ancestry in: 

• the sale or rental of housing 
• the advertising of the sale or rental of housing 
• the financing of housing 
• the provision of real estate brokerage services 

There are several ways to address such instances at the federal and state level: 

• U.S. Department of Justice – Housing And Civil Enforcement Section 
• HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity 
• Ohio Civil Rights Commission 

The Ohio Division of Real Estate may investigate a licensee if they are found has been found in violation of civil rights laws. 

Licensees should notify the Division immediately if they were found to have violated any federal, state, or municipal civil rights laws concerning discrimination in housing accommodations. 

Consumers are encouraged to refer to the Division’s consumer guide on its website for fair housing resources.