The Basics of Discrimination

Federal Law prohibits your landlord from discriminating against you based on your:

    * Race
    * Color
    * National Origin
    * Religion
    * Sex
    * Disability
    * Familial Status

Michigan laws prohibit your landlord from discriminating against you based on ALL of the above, AND:

    * Your Age
    * Your Marital Status

In the City of Ann Arbor, you are protected from discrimination based on ALL of the above, AS WELL AS:

    * Your Source of Income
    * Your Sexual Orientation
    * Your Student or Non-Student Status

Acts that are ILLEGAL under fair housing laws include:

    * Refusal to Sell To, Rent To, or Negotiate With a Tenant
    * Difference in Availability of Apartments and Apartment Features
    * Difference in Prices, Terms, or Conditions for Rent or Sale
    * Differences in Services Provided by Agent or Owner
    * Discourteous Treatment
    * Harassment, Intimidation, or Threats

Call the Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan at (734) 994-3426 or (517) 263-1777 if you have any questions or concerns about housing discrimination.

More Information

Taken from "We Can Fight Housing Discrimination and Win," Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan

Discrimination in housing takes many forms. With few exceptions, the laws in the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti prohibit the following acts when based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, student status, or source of income:

    * discrimination in the sale, rental, brokering, negotiating for, advertising, or financing of property;
    * steering of a home seeker to or away from a particular location/property. This could mean directing someone to a particular neighborhood or section of a rental complex;
    * limiting or changing of terms, conditions, privileges, use of facilities, or the provision of services associated with real estate, such as requiring a higher security deposit;
    * application of stricter qualifying terms, such as a discriminatory use of credit history;
    * misrepresentation of the availability of a unit;
    * sexual harassment by an agent or owner;
    * harassment of buyers, renters, landlords, real estate agents or sellers who are exercising their fair housing rights or responsibilities.

Housing discrimination is not always obvious. You may hear lines such as:

    * "We just rented the last unit."
    * "Your son and daughter can't share a bedroom."
    * "You can't put a ramp in here."
    * "You have to be 21 to sign the lease."

The Fair Housing Center

The Fair Housing Center provides investigative services (testing), advice, advocacy, conciliation, attorney referral and community education.  If you think you have been the victim of housing discrimination, the Fair Housing Center will take your complaint and let you know what your options are.

If you suspect discrimination, call the Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan (734-994-3426 or 517-263-1777).

Other resources:
 City of Ann Arbor Human Rights Office
Recommends, monitors, and examines laws and issues of discrimination for the City of Ann Arbor.
 University of Michigan Off-Campus Housing
Will suspend or terminate the registration status privileges of any landlord who discriminates.

To return to the Michigan Tenants Counseling Program web site, click here.

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