This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the passage of the US Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This law created a national policy of fair housing without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, familial status and handicap.
The law is especially important in the onslaught of demonstrations regarding the national immigration issues, especially in Arizona, the state where I currently reside. Whether you agree or disagree with the proposed immigration reform, the National Association of Realtor takes the stand that all people deserve the same treatment when buying, selling or renting a home.
The National Association of Realtors frequently addresses this issue by providing all Realtors with information to further foster diversity in real estate and provide professional services that are equal for all. For homebuyers, real estate agents must make housing available in your price range with no discrimination, provide you with a wide range of home choices in any area, give those with disabilities the most reasonable accommodations possible and not use discriminatory terms and conditions. Those involved in the real estate transaction, such as lenders and appraisers also must provide the same nondiscriminatory services.
While the times are changing, you still do not need to be a U.S. citizen to rent or purchase property in the U.S. While it may be more difficult to get a loan to purchase if you are not a citizen and cannot pay with cash, this relates more to current lending policies than to discrimination.
Remember that real estate agents are human and may not realize that they are acting in a discriminatory fashion. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but sometimes it helps to explain why you consider the action offensive or inappropriate. Often, the agent welcomes the discussion and is better educated to deal with diversity in the future. If the agent is still blatantly acting unfair, take action and exercise your rights under the law.
If you suspect discrimination, contact your local real estate association to voice an ethics complaint. Your local association has an obligation to enforce the Realtor Code of Ethics to determine if a violation of professional standards has occurred and to take appropriate action. Alleged discrimination complaints also may be filed with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Fair Housing Law makes it illegal to practice discrimination in real estate and related fields, so as not to exclude anyone from the homebuying process. It is unfortunate, however, that it took a law to begin to make it happen. Be at home with diversity.
Photo Credit: SeanMack via Creative Commons 2.5
31. August 2010
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