How do I protect myself against housing discrimination?

In New York, it's against the law for landlords to treat you unfairly when you're trying to rent a home. This is called housing discrimination.

What is housing discrimination?

Housing discrimination is when a landlord treats you differently because of who you are. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to you or treat you unfairly because of your:

• Race or skin color
• Where you're from
• Religion
• Gender identity
• Who you love
• If you have a disability
• If you're pregnant or have kids
• How you pay your rent (like if you use Section 8)

What are some examples of housing discrimination?

Here are some ways a landlord might discriminate:

• Refusing to rent to people because of their race
• Not allowing children in their buildings
• Asking for more money from Black families
• Not letting Latino children play on the playground
• Asking about your religion before renting to you

What if I have a disability?

If you have a disability, landlords must make "reasonable accommodations" for you. This means they should make changes to help you use and enjoy your home. For example:

• Letting you make doorways wider for a wheelchair
• Allowing you to have a support animal, even if they usually don't allow pets
• Building a ramp at the entrance
• Making sure bathroom walls can support grab bars

What can I do if I think a landlord is discriminating against me?

If you think a landlord is treating you unfairly:

1. You can file a report with the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).
2. You must do this within one year of when it happened.
3. In your report, you need to include:
   • Your full name and address
   • The landlord's name and address
   • The address of the home you wanted to rent
   • A short description of what happened
   • When it happened

After you file a report, HUD will look into it. They'll try to help you and the landlord agree on a solution. If that doesn't work, they might take legal action to protect your rights.

Where can I get help?

If you have questions or need help, you can contact:

1. New York State Division of Human Rights
   • Phone: 718-741-8300
   • Address: One Fordham Plaza, 4th Floor, Bronx, New York 10458
2. Office of the Attorney General Civil Rights Bureau
   • Phone: 212-416-8250
   • Email: civil.rights@ag.ny.gov
   • Address: 120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271
3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development New York Office
   • Phone: 212-542-7519 or 800-496-4294
   • Address: 26 Federal Plaza, Room 3532, New York, NY 10278-0068

You have the right to be treated fairly when looking for a home. Don't be afraid to speak up if you think someone is treating you unfairly.