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What is the Fair Housing Act? |
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The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. The law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of housing, or making housing otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. State and Local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination based on additional classes not covered by federal law. Federal statutes should be considered as the minimum laws. However, local, state and federal laws must be complied with at all times. The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the law. Article 10 of the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics requires that "REALTORS shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, famililial status, or national origin. REALTORS shall not be a party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin."
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