Definition Of Disability Under Fair Housing Act
Fair housing act definition of disability here s how the fair housing act defines disabled.
Definition of disability under fair housing act. Title viii of the civil rights act is the fair housing act the intent of the fair housing act is to ban discrimination on the basis of race color sex religion national origin and disability in most housing transactions. Families with children are also p. Although it comes up most frequently when i review emotional support animal reasonable accommodation requests under the fair housing act fha the issue of just who is disabled is one for all of us in the professional apartment management field to understand. Generally the fair housing act applies to a broad range of persons and entities including public housing agencies property owners landlords housing.
The fair housing act prohibits discrimination in the sale rental and financing of dwellings and in other housing related activities based on disability among other protected classes. Any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The fair housing act with some exceptions prohibits discrimination in housing against families with children under 18. The goal of the fha is to have your landlord treat you the same as tenants who aren t disabled so that you can enjoy your apartment like everyone else.
Drug addiction is also included but not current illegal use of a controlled substance. Guilty parties can be subject to significant fines civil liability and or criminal prosecution depending upon the. In addition to prohibiting an outright denial of housing to families with children the act also prevents housing providers from imposing any special requirements or conditions on tenants with custody of children. A a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person s major life activities.
Knowing your legal rights responsibilities is the first step to ensuring that your rights are respected. The fha defines disability or handicap although the term handicap is used in the fha the trend today is to use the term disability as. Or c being regarded as having such an impairment but such a term does not include the. The fair housing act title viii of the civil rights act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the buying selling rental or financing of housing based on race skin color sex.
B a record of having such an impairment. The legislative history of the fair housing amendments act of 1988 and court decisions since passage of the 1988 act have extended protection to persons suffering from communicable diseases including aids and persons who are hiv positive. Attempting to convert an existing family pet into an emotional support animal to avoid deposits fees or restrictions is disability fraud. If you or your roommate has a disability that fits the definition under the fair housing act fha the law entitles you to certain protections.