Civil Rights Act of 1968

Landlords Beware: Discrimination can cost you Millions!

by Winston Westbrook | November 10, 2009

It cost billionaire Donald T. Sterling millions. On November 3rd of this year the Justice department received the biggest settlement on a housing discrimination lawsuit. Donald T. Sterling has agreed to pay $2.725 million to settle allegations that he discriminated against African-Americans, Hispanics and families with children at apartment buildings he controls in Los Angeles. [...]

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Real Estate Marketing

How to Market Properties without Violating the Fair Housing Act

by Molly Castelazo | October 16, 2009

Equal Housing Opportunity Logo You’re sitting down to write a property listing. You know my first rule of marketing: Make it personal. But how do you do that – and stay within Fair Housing guidelines?

The Fair Housing Act, explained

The purpose of the Fair Housing Act is to ensure that a person can buy or rent a house or apartment wherever they want regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religious preference, disability, family status or national origin. In some areas, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited.

Unfortunately the Fair Housing Act doesn’t actually list the words you are and are not allowed to use in your marketing communications. The language you can and cannot use while remaining faithful to the spirit of the Act is up for interpretation.

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