Model Nondiscrimination Policy

Here’s a Model Nondiscrimination Policy, which was adapted from one used in a recent Justice Department settlement. Check with an attorney in your area so you can include any additional state and local fair housing requirements.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of [insert name of community] to comply with Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended (commonly known as the Fair Housing Act) and [insert the name of any applicable state and local fair housing laws] by ensuring that units are available to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law]. This policy means that, among other things, [insert community name], and all its agents and employees with the responsibility for renting, managing, or administering any dwelling units, must not discriminate in any aspect of the rental of dwellings against qualified applicants or tenants because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law]. Such agents and employees may not:

A.   Refuse to rent, or negotiate for the rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law];

B.   Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law];

C.   Make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law]; or

D.   Represent to persons because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law] that any dwelling is not available for inspection or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.

Our commitment to comply with the fair housing laws includes an affirmative duty to provide reasonable modifications and accommodations to qualified applicants and residents with disabilities. We will permit disabled persons, at their expense, to make reasonable modifications of existing premises, both the common area and the unit to be occupied by the disabled person, if modifications may be necessary to afford the disabled person full enjoyment of the premises. Further, we will make reasonable accommodations in our rules, policies, practices, or services when accommodations may be necessary to afford a disabled person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

Any action taken by an agent or employee that results in the unequal service, treatment, or behavior to residents on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and [insert any additional protected characteristics required by state and local law] may constitute a violation of federal, state, or local fair housing laws.

Any agent or employee who fails to comply with this Nondiscrimination Policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.