Complaint procedures

The fair housing act protects renters

Learn more about the Fair Housing Laws! The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits anyone from treating minorities less favorably than non-minorities in the sale, rental or financing of housing. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to refuse anyone housing on the basis of race, color, sex, religion or national origin. The Act also protects those with physical and mental disabilities, pregnant women, and people with children (unless the housing is designated specifically for older residents).

A prospective tenant may be legally refused, however, for a bad credit rating or other legitimate reason. If you suspect discrimination, file a report with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Call (800) 669-9777.

You can learn more with a copy of HLTD's free publication Fair Housing: It's Your Right (Item 567Z, free). It discusses what the Act covers, when certain exemptions apply, and how complaints are investigated.

It also includes a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form. To order a copy, send your name and address to Consumer Information Center, Department 567Z, Pueblo, CO 81109.

Filing a housing discrimination complaint

Have you ever:

• Been required to withstand a credit check or produce a co-signer, while others did not?
• Been required to provide a larger down payment or accept a higher interest rate than other buyers?
• Been quoted a high sale or rental price, or a higher security deposit price than other tenants or neighbors?
• Had an owner, manager, or real estate agent deny the availability of housing to you or the opportunity to see housing when it was available to others?
• Been given warning to sell your home because different racial or ethnic groups were moving into the neighborhood?
• Had a rental or sales agent discourage you from seeking housing in a certain neighborhood or show you only one area even though you wanted to see others?

If you think you have been discriminated against in a housing matter, call one of the agencies listed below. The 1988 Fair Housing law now allows individuals up to one year from the alleged act of discrimination to file a complaint. You have the right to live where you want!

Missouri
Human Relations & Citizens'
Complaints - Jackson County
(816) 881-3670

Kansas & Missouri
Housing and Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
1103 Grand Ave., Room 1102
Kansas City, MO 64106
(913) 551-6993

Consumer Protection:
Better Business Bureau of Greater
Kansas City
(816) 421-7800

* Information courtesy of Community Housing Resource Board

Available in the Student Life Office: Missouri's Landlord-Tenant Law - A Consumer's Guide