Fair Housing: What Buyers, Sellers and Renters Should Know

What you'll walk away with

• The protected classes under federal and North Carolina law
• What to expect from me: equal service and no steering
• Where to file a complaint, and the deadline to keep in mind

In this guide

• What is protected
• What it means for how I work
• Tips for sellers
• Tips for renters and landlords
• If you think you were treated unfairly

Everyone deserves equal access to housing. The federal Fair Housing Act and North Carolina's state fair housing law make discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing illegal. This guide explains what that means and what you can expect from me.

What is protected

Federal law protects against housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability. The NAR Code of Ethics, which I follow as a REALTOR®, and many local laws also expressly protect sexual orientation and gender identity. North Carolina's Fair Housing Act covers race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap and familial status. Familial status generally means households with children under 18, including pregnant people and those securing custody. Some local laws may add protections.

What it means for how I work

• I provide the same quality of service to every client and every property.
• I don't steer buyers toward or away from neighborhoods. You decide where you want to live, and I'll show you homes that fit your stated criteria.
• When you ask about a neighborhood, I'll point you to objective, official sources such as school assignment tools, county data and public records, and I'll give you facts about the property and its amenities. I won't characterize an area by the kinds of people who live there.
• I follow the NAR Code of Ethics and the Real Estate Commission's rules.

Tips for sellers

The same rules apply to you. Offers should be evaluated on lawful, objective terms such as price, financing and timeline. Your listing agent is required to follow fair housing law and can't carry out discriminatory instructions.

Tips for renters and landlords

Landlords must apply screening criteria consistently, and people with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations and modifications. If you rent out property, talk to an attorney about your obligations.

If you think you were treated unfairly

You can file a complaint with HUD or the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Complaints under the state act generally must be filed within one year of the alleged discrimination, so act promptly and confirm the deadline that applies to you. If you ever feel I haven't met this standard, please tell me directly.

This is general information, not legal advice. For help with a specific situation, contact HUD, the NC Human Relations Commission or a qualified attorney.

Sources: HUD: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity · NC Office of Administrative Hearings (Human Relations Commission)

Know your fair housing rights

• Know the protected classes under federal and NC law
• Choose where you want to live; ask for facts about the property
• Use official sources for neighborhood information
• Sellers: evaluate offers on lawful, objective terms
• Landlords: apply screening criteria consistently
• If you suspect discrimination, keep notes and dates
• Contact HUD or the NC Human Relations Commission promptly

About this guide

Joseph Ford is a licensed North Carolina real estate broker and REALTOR®, not an attorney, lender, tax professional or financial advisor. This guide is general educational information, not legal, tax, lending or investment advice, and it is not an offer or commitment to lend. Laws, forms, rates and program terms change; confirm current details with the sources linked above and with the appropriate professional. You are free to choose any lender, attorney, inspector or other provider, and I will never require you to use one I mention. Equal Housing Opportunity.