Protecting your right to seek housing anywhere you can afford to live.
The Fair Housing Act is enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Fair Housing Act protects
you
against violations of your housing rights and prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of:
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- Ancestry (State of Ohio Law)
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The Fair Housing Act also prohibits discrimination in mortgage lending, the sale or rental of real estate, and insurance
coverage.
There are many illegal housing discriminatory practices. However, you have the right to:
- Seek housing anywhere you can afford to live.
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- Inspect any apartment or house that is offered for rent or for sale.
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- Be offered the same information, financial and insurance terms, and courtesy as everyone else.
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The following are examples of violations of the Fair Housing Act:
- Refusal to rent, sell, or negotiate for housing, or to otherwise make housing unavailable to certain people.
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- Setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for the sale or rental of a dwelling.
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- Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
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- Imposing different terms or conditions on a loan or insurance policy.
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- Refusal to let a tenant make reasonable modifications to his/her dwelling or a common use area, at the tenant's expense, if necessary for a person with disabilities to use the housing. *Where reasonable, the landlord may permit changes on the condition that the tenant restores to its original condition when he/she moves out.
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- Refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services necessary for a person with disabilities to use the housing. (Example: An exception to a "no pets" policy for a tenant with a service/companion animal.)
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For information or assistance with landlord/tenant disputes or other Fair Housing matters, please contact Missy Frost at (937) 562-5350 or mfrost@co.greene.oh.us.
Predatory Lending
If you are having trouble with your mortgage, and you feel that you have been a victim of unfair, discriminatory, predatory lending practices, or you feel that your rights have been violated, please contact Missy Frost at (937) 562-5350 or mfrost@co.greene.oh.us. We can help you identify the warning signs and characteristics of unfair lending practices. We can also offer advice on what your next step should be.
The Ohio Attorney General's office may also be able to assist you in a predatory lending situation. If you feel that you have been cheated in the marketplace, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's office over the phone by calling (800) 282-0515 or online at www.SpeakOutOhio.gov.
For further information, you may also contact:
The HUD Discrimination Hotline - 1-800-669-9777 (voice) / 1-800-927-9275 (TTY) or www.hud.gov to file a complaint online.
The Ohio Civil Rights Commission in Dayton (937) 285-6500 / 1-888-278-7101 or www.crc.ohio.gov for online information.
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