All states have laws that prevent landlords from using discriminatory practices against tenants. According to the North Carolina Department of Administration, the state’s Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, disability, skin color, family status, and sex. All types of properties and real estate transactions are covered by these laws. Along with landlords, people selling homes, developers, rental management companies, banks, and real estate agents are all required to comply with fair housing laws.
There are numerous situations that are considered housing discrimination. For instance, a tenant who’s evicted because he or she has friends or relatives of another race visiting the residence can take legal action against the owner of the property. It’s also not permissible for a landlord to have different standards for different tenants. As an example, a landlord can’t require a background check for a black applicant if a white applicant would not be subject to the same scrutiny.
Discrimination may also be based on sex. It is not lawful for landlords to refuse admittance of an unmarried women to a rental when an unmarried man would be permitted. Additionally, a landlord cannot evict a female tenant for a refusal to accept romantic or sexual advances. If any of these situations occur, the tenant can file a complaint to hold the landlord responsible for failing to follow the laws.
As stated by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, a tenant making a complain can contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for further information. You can also speak with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission, which handles issues that are not applicable to Fair Housing Assistance Programs. In either case, tenants may also want to retain legal counsel to ensure their rights are upheld.
