April is Fair Housing Month – a fitting time to highlight something every buyer, renter, seller and homeowner deserves: a fair shot.
Buying or renting a home is one of the biggest decisions a person makes, and it should be shaped by budget, needs and lifestyle, not by discrimination. This article is based on a fair housing brochure from the National Association of Realtors, and it’s meant to help our community understand what fair housing protections look like in everyday situations.
Fair housing laws exist to prevent people from being treated differently when they rent or buy a home, apply for a mortgage, or take part in other housing-related activities. Federal law protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status and national origin.
Many communities also add protections through state or local laws. Realtors also follow a code of ethics that requires equal professional service, including protections related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Home seekers should feel confident that the process is open and consistent. That means you can explore a broad range of homes and neighborhoods without being discouraged or treated differently because of who you are.
Fair housing also applies to the terms of a sale or rental and to related services like financing, appraisals and insurance. People with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in policies or procedures when needed, and no one should face intimidation or harassment for exercising their rights.
Sellers and landlords have responsibilities that keep housing opportunities fair for everyone. Advertising, conversations and decisions must not be based on protected characteristics, and the same standards and terms must be applied to all qualified buyers or tenants.
It’s also important to know that a real estate professional cannot legally or ethically carry out a discriminatory request, even if a client asks.
Real estate professionals have responsibilities, also, and Realtors are held to both the law and the Realtor Code of Ethics. That means a Realtor cannot refuse service, claim a property is unavailable when it is not, steer someone toward or away from a neighborhood, or use language that signals a preference or limitation.
Fairness in housing is not only about what’s said, it’s also about what’s shown, what options are presented and how decisions are made.
Fair housing protects people and strengthens communities. When the process is fair and transparent, trust grows. When trust grows, neighborhoods thrive.
If you have questions about fair housing, talk with a local Realtor or explore educational resources provided by the National Association of Realtors.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors is The Voice of Real Estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors services Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423 698-8001.