Discrimination In Rental Housing

Division Of Student Affairs; Western Michigan University

WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING?

Discrimination in housing is simply treating one person differently from another when it comes to renting a place to live.

Landlords sometimes discriminate in advertising or listing places, or in picking tenants, or in deciding how much rent to charge, or in deciding what should go in the lease, or in how tenants are treated once they move in.

IS ALL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE LAW?

NO. A landlord CAN discriminate against people for many reasons. For example, it is NOT illegal for a landlord to discriminate against students, pets or poor people.

WHAT KIND OF DISCRIMINATION IS AGAINST THE LAW?

Michigan law and federal law both say that it is illegal for a landlord, apartment manager, rental agent, or real estate agent to discriminate against a person because of RACE, SEX, RELIGION, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, or HANDICAP (either mental or physical).

EXCEPTIONS TO THE LAW

There are some times when the landlord does not have to follow the law. The landlord can discriminate:

1. Because of religion, if the landlord is a religious institution or organization (like a church) and the property is used for religious or charitable purpose.

2. Because of age, if the housing is for seniors (people 50 years old or older).

3. For any reason, if the landlord or a member of the landlord's immediate family lives in the house and rents out rooms.

4. For any reason, if the house is a two family house and the landlord or a member of the landlord's immediate family lives in one of the units.

5. For any reason, if the landlord is renting out his own home for a short time.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE BEEN ILLEGALLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?

If you think you have been illegally discriminated against, you should talk to a lawyer, if you can. Or, you should file a complaint with the MICHIGAN CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION.

Be sure that the CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION helps you file a complaint with the FEDERAL DEPARTMENT of HOUSING and URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD).

YOU DO NOT NEED A LAWYER TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

In addition to your right to file complaints with the Civil Rights Commission and HUD you can also bring a court case against the person or persons who discriminated against you. If you want to do this, you should talk to a lawyer before you file your complaint with the Civil Rights Commission.