Guide · Renting and leases
Fair Housing Basics
A friendly guide to fair housing for everyone, the groups protected under federal law, and simple, respectful practices that welcome every person.
Where to start
- Something doesn’t feel fair?
Write it down the same day, then see if something doesn’t feel fair. There are time limits, so it helps to act soon.
- Writing a rental ad?
Describe the home, not the person. See words in ads.
- Want fair habits every day?
Work through the fair habits checklist.
The short version
Every person deserves a fair chance at a home. Fair housing is the law, and it is simply how we would want our own families treated.
The federal Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability.
Fair practice means the same criteria, the same information and the same warm welcome for everyone, and ads that describe the home, not the person.
People with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations and modifications. Every request deserves a kind, prompt reply.
If something doesn’t feel fair, write it down, keep records, and reach out to a local fair housing organization or HUD at 1-800-669-9777. We would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Treat everyone the same
Use the same standards, questions, prices and process for every person who asks about a home.
- 2Describe the home, not the person
Ads and conversations should focus on the home and its features, never on who should or shouldn’t live there.
- 3Welcome reasonable requests
People with disabilities may ask for reasonable accommodations or modifications, and every request deserves a kind, prompt reply.
- 4Never retaliate
No one should be treated badly for asserting fair housing rights, filing a complaint or helping someone else.
Fair habits checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Same welcome, every person, every time.
If something doesn’t feel fair
- Take a breath. Write down what happened, when, where and who was involved, while it is fresh.
- Save any ads, emails, texts, applications and notes.
- If it feels safe, ask kindly in writing for the reason for the decision.
- Reach out to a local fair housing organization, legal aid office or an attorney for guidance.
- You may contact HUD by phone or online. The number is in the short version above. There are time limits, so it helps to act soon.
- Remember that retaliation for asserting fair housing rights is not allowed.
Fresh, specific notes are one of the most helpful things anyone can have.
Words in ads
- Describe features, like “two bedrooms near a park,” rather than people, like “ideal for a single professional.”
- Focus on what the home offers: its features, price and location.
- Give everyone the same information about price and availability.
- Words like “perfect for” a certain kind of person can unintentionally discourage others.
Before posting, ask: does this describe the home, or a person?
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Rental Owner Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in for owners who rent out a home: contractors, insurance, fair pricing, records, showings and more.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFMore guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal advice. Bunklow is an advertising board. Renters can choose to share a profile they wrote about themselves. Bunklow does not run reports, score, rank, rate or approve anyone, and does not make rental decisions. Owners make their own decisions.