Equal Opportunity in Housing Statement
Our Policy
All real estate listings featured here are governed by the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits any advertisement that expresses “any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or the intention to do so.”
SMUV Rentals is committed to adhering to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended (commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Act), ensuring that all units are accessible to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, or sex. Renters Warehouse recognizes that local laws may protect additional classes. This policy mandates that our company, along with all agents and employees responsible for renting, managing, or administering any dwelling units, must not discriminate against qualified applicants or tenants based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or any other protected classes established by state or local laws. Our agents and employees must not:
- Refuse to rent, negotiate for rental, or otherwise deny a dwelling to any individual based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or any additional protected classes established by local or state law;
- Discriminate against anyone regarding the terms, conditions, or privileges of rental or in the provision of related services or facilities based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or additional protected classes as mandated by local or state laws;
- Create, print, or distribute any notice, statement, or advertisement regarding the rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, or additional protected classes established by local or state laws; or
- Misrepresent the availability of any dwelling for inspection or rental due to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, familial status, sex, or additional protected classes as established by local or state laws when the dwelling is indeed available.
This Policy strictly prohibits any harassment or discrimination relating to the aforementioned protected classes. Any words or actions that relate to these protected categories and are deemed offensive by a reasonable person are unacceptable and violate this policy.
Applicants, residents, and employees are encouraged to report any breaches of this Policy to a supervisor or manager in the Company for proper investigation and action. No retaliatory measures will be taken against anyone who reports, in good faith, any words or actions believed to violate this Policy. Similarly, no retaliation will occur against anyone who, in good faith, assists or participates in any investigation related to a harassment or discrimination complaint.
Any conduct by an agent or employee that results in unequal treatment or service to applicants or tenants based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, or any additional protected classes mandated by local or state laws may violate both state and federal fair housing laws. Agents or employees failing to comply with this Policy will face appropriate disciplinary measures.
The Law
Several state and federal laws have been enacted to ensure equal housing opportunities for all individuals when buying, selling, leasing, or renting property. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits any racial discrimination in property sales or rentals. Moreover, the Fair Housing Act establishes a national policy of fair housing across the United States, making any discrimination in the sale, lease, or rental of housing illegal due to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Additional laws also affect the purchase, sale, or lease of a home or rental property. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public accommodations and commercial facilities. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it illegal to discriminate against any aspect of a credit application based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or because any portion of the applicant’s income comes from public assistance programs.
Furthermore, state and local laws may offer broader protections, prohibiting discrimination based on additional classes not covered by federal law.
As a seller or landlord, you are legally obligated not to discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of property based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. You cannot instruct a licensed broker or salesperson to convey any limitations in the sale or rental, as real estate professionals are legally bound not to discriminate. Agents involved in real estate transactions are also prohibited from engaging in discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They cannot comply with requests from sellers or landlords to act in a discriminatory manner during the sale, lease, or rental process. Additionally, sellers or landlords cannot impose discriminatory terms or conditions in purchase or rental agreements, deny that housing is available, or advertise properties as available only to individuals of specific races, colors, religions, sexes, handicaps, familial statuses, or national origins.
As someone looking to buy a home or rent an apartment, you have the right to expect housing to be accessible to you without discrimination or limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. This includes the right to receive equal professional service, consider a wide range of housing options, enjoy no discriminatory limitations on housing communities or locations, experience no discrimination in financing, appraising, or insuring housing, receive reasonable accommodations in rules and practices for individuals with disabilities, and be free from harassment or intimidation when exercising your fair housing rights.