What do Owners and Renters Need to Know about Housing Discrimination?

The New York City Human Rights Law makes it is illegal to treat an individual or family differently than others because of their membership in a protected class.  Learn more about the protected classes covered by the New York City Human Rights Law.

When the New York City Human Rights Law applies, each of the housing-related activities listed below would be discriminatory if committed against a member of a protected class because of that person's protected characteristic. 

• Refuse to sell, rent, or lease housing
• Misrepresent the availability of housing
• Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale, rental, or lease of housing
• Provide different housing services or facilities
• Post discriminatory advertising or marketing that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a protected class
• Refuse to provide a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability
• Steer a potential homebuyer or renter to, or away from, an area
• Pressure, for profit, homeowners to sell by exploiting demographic changes (blockbusting)
• Threaten, coerce, or intimidate individuals because they exercise their fair housing rights or assist others in doing so
• Refuse to make a mortgage loan to a qualified applicant
• Refuse to provide information regarding loans
• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan or credit card
• Discriminate in appraising properties
• Deny conventional mortgages in certain communities (redlining)

The law also prohibits retaliation against someone who files a complaint under the New York City Human Rights Law.  Learn more about retaliation. 

Otherwise lawful action may violate fair housing laws when it is only taken against members of a protected class because of their membership in that protected class. For example, if an owner brings a tenant to housing court, in an eviction proceeding for example, and the landlord's action is based on the tenant's membership in a protected class, it may violate New York City Human Rights Law.

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If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination, contact us to file a complaint. The New York City Human Rights Law requires that the complaint be filed within one year from the date of the last alleged act of discrimination.

If you would like to attend a free workshop on the New York City Human Rights Law, visit the events tab for upcoming workshop or visit the contact us tab to contact call the New York City Commission on Human Rights.