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1. I recently responded to an ad for an apartment. When I arrived to see it, I was told it had been rented. But the landlord is still advertising the unit. Can I find out if this was discriminatory?

Discrimination in housing unfortunately still occurs – but it tends to be subtle. Reporting an incident like this in a timely manner is critical so that an investigation can begin. Sometimes, our office can engage an organization to conduct testing to determine whether discrimination based on race, or even familial status, occurred. Testing involves the use of trained volunteers to pose as persons interested in renting out that particular unit. If you think you encountered housing discrimination, call the Fair Housing Office.

2. I have a physical disability and need to park close to my building's entrance. The manager told me that there is a waiting list for these prime spots and I have to wait my turn. Can they do this?

No! Property owners are required to provide a reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities, so that they can have an equal opportunity to enjoy their dwelling unit.  Sometimes, this may mean doing something different for the person with a disability – such as making an accommodation to a usual rule or procedure  You have the right to request a reasonable accommodation from your housing provider.  Contact the Fair Housing Office to learn more.

3. I own a two-family and am trying to rent out the upstairs unit. Can I state in the ad that only single people, or a married couple, can apply? My first floor tenant likes it to be quiet.

While you are free to place an ad for your second floor vacancy, you must ensure that you follow the fair housing laws when creating your ad. It is a violation of fair housing laws to express a preference for a certain kind of tenant, or to specifically exclude protected classes of persons. For example, stating that only single or married people can apply would exclude families with kids, and that would be a fair housing violation. It’s a good practice when writing a rental ad to focus on the property itself and the amenities, not the kind of tenant you are seeking.