Fair Housing Rights

Federal and state fair housing laws make it illegal to discriminate in housing based on the following protected classes:

Race – A person’s race or the race of persons with whom one associates.

Color – A person’s skin color.

Sex – A person’s sex, including sexual harassment or intimidation.

National Origin/Ancestry – The country of one’s birth and/or the nationality of one’s ancestors.

Religion – A person’s religious beliefs or denominational affiliation.

Disability/Handicap – A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Family/Familial Status – Household composition, including the presence of children.

Age – Persons 18 years of age and older.

Marital Status – Married, single, divorced, widowed or separated.

Lawful Source of Income – A person’s legal means of income, including such subsidized forms as Social Security, Food Stamps, Unemployment Compensation, etc.

Sexual Orientation – Heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality.

Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault and Stalking Victims – Persons who have been or are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.

Local Ordinances

City and county fair housing ordinances may include additional protected classes. For instance, Madison and Dane County, Appleton and the City of Milwaukee have protected classes not included in state and federal fair housing laws.

Do you suspect you were denied the opportunity to rent an apartment, buy a home, get a home loan, or buy homeowners insurance because of one of the characteristics listed above? Let us know – we can help.

A wide variety of discriminatory practices are prohibited by fair housing laws.
For more information, CALL US.

In Madison and parts of Dane County, there are the following additional protected classes:

Arrest/Conviction Record – Persons with arrest/conviction records older than two years or not bearing a substantial relationship to tenancy. Some types of conviction records involving drug-related criminal activity, disturbance of neighbors, destruction of property or criminal activity involving violence to persons or property may not be protected.

Domestic Partnership – Two adults in a relationship of mutual support, who occupy the same dwelling as a single, nonprofit housekeeping unit, and whose relationship is of a permanent and distinct domestic character.

Military Discharge Status – Type of military discharge, also including active duty status.

Physical Appearance – The outward appearance of any person.

Political Beliefs – A person’s opinions concerning the social, economic and governmental structure of society and its institutions.

Sexual Orientation – Heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and gender identity.

Social Security Number Provision – Persons who decline to disclose a Social Security Number.

Student Status – Having or not having standing as an enrollee of a school or apprenticeship program.

In the City of Milwaukee

Gender Identity or Expression is also a protected class, protecting a gender identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of an individual, regardless of the individual’s assigned sex at birth.

Military Service – Past or present membership in the military.

In Appleton

Arrest or Conviction Record is a protected class, protecting persons with arrest or conviction records older than two years or not bearing a substantial relationship to tenancy. Some types of drug-related criminal activity or disorderly conduct involving destruction of property may not be protected.