Housing Discrimination
FHOSC helps any person in Sonoma County who has been discriminated against in the rental, sale, financing or appraisal of housing. FHOSC investigates complaints and coordinates referral services to assist individuals when their rights under State and Federal housing laws have been violated.
Federal and state laws prohibit housing discrimination based on:
- Race
- Color
- Gender
- Religion
- National Origin
- Disability
- Family Status (minor children in the family)
In addition, California laws prohibit discrimination based on:
- Marital Status
- Sexual Orientation
- Arbitrary categories that are unrelated to the responsibilities of a tenant
Fair Housing Laws make it illegal, based on race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, family status, marital status or sexual orientation to:
- Refuse to rent, lease or sell housing (including apartments, condominiums and mobile homes);
- Refuse to negotiate for a rental, lease or sale of housing;
- Represent that housing is not available when it is.
Clues of Possible Discrimination:
- The sign says "vacancy" and the manager says, "It’s rented," or the newspaper ad continues to appear. The story you are told in person is different from the information given on the phone.
- You are told, "You wouldn’t like it here," or "There’s no place for children to play."
- The manager takes your application, says you will be called after references are checked, but you are not contacted.
- You are told that you cannot install a wheelchair ramp or other accessibility modifications.
- You are told, "That’s too many people for this unit."
- The manager says the unit is on an upper level or near the pool and would not be safe for children.
A Landlord May Require:
- Past landlord references
- Income sufficient to manage the rent
- Credit references
- First month’s rent
- Security deposit
These requirements by a landlord are legal if the same requirements, standards and conditions are applied to everyone, equally.
An Excellent Source of Information on Fair Housing - Fair Housing Law.org
For an overview of HUD's complaint process or California's DFEH complaint process, go to the pages listed below:
For more information on Fair Housing Topics, try the following web sites:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD)Fair Housing Site
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
Guide to Accessible Housing: Architecture and Specifications
Federal Disability Anti-Discrimination Laws
Fair Housing site for general information
Resource Library on Fair Housing
Fair Housing of Marin, in San Rafael (excellent resource!)
CHILD CARE IN THE HOME
Under State Law (H&S 1597.40), a landlord may not forbid a tenant's use of a rental unit as a licensed family day care home. Local zoning, occupancy limits, and lease restrictions on home businesses do not apply.
The tenant must obtain a State license and meet the specific minimum space requirements per child, and the tenant must give the landlord 30 days prior notice of their intent to operate a child care facility in the rental unit.
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