The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal for housing providers to discriminate against prospective or current renters who have children, are expecting a child, or are adopting or fostering children as members of their household. Familial status is consistently our fourth most common basis for complaints, making up roughly 10% of those received. You can read about cases we’ve filed on the basis of familial status on our Litigation Log.
Familial Status
Families with children under the age of 18, pregnant persons, and. any person in the process of securing legal custody of a minor child (including adoptive or foster parents).
If you hear…
No kids toys in the hallway.
We place families on the first floor or in the building near the playground.
Brother and sister can’t share a bedroom.
The unit isn’t safe for children.
We cater to students, you wouldn’t be happy here.
Then you may be experiencing housing discrimination.
…because we have only 1 bedroom apartments, there are no children.
Illegal ad found on the website of Arbor Apartments
Dawn Simpson told the FHC that an Arbor Apartments’ agent said that she and her toddler son could not share a one-bedroom apartment. The FHC found that on multiple occasions the rental agents told testers that the City of Ann Arbor prohibits a parent with a child to rent a one-bedroom apartment. Ms. Simpson accepted $15,000 to settle the case against Allmand Properties–owners of Arbor Apartments.
Read MoreIf you believe you have been the victim of housing discrimination, please call us toll-free at 1-877-979-FAIR to discuss the situation.
Information provided about allegations or complaints of housing discrimination will be kept confidential. We will not report undocumented immigrants to the authorities.
Retaliation is illegal. Any attempt should be immediately reported to the FHC.