EQUAL HOUSING DISCLOSURE

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN HOUSING

The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that an individual will
experience in their lifetime. It is more than the simple purchase of housing, for it directly impacts
the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason that
the Fair Housing Act and other federal and state laws were enacted to guarantee a right to a
national housing market free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap,
family status, and national origin.

THE LAW

Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits all racial discrimination in the sale or rental of property.

Fair Housing Act

The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. The
law makes illegal any discrimination in the sale, lease or rental of housing, or making housing
otherwise unavailable, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national
origin.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against persons with
disabilities in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act

The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes discrimination unlawful with respect to any aspect of a
credit application on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age or
because all or part of the applicant's income derives from any public assistance program.

State and Local Laws

State and local laws often provide broader coverage and prohibit discrimination based on
additional classes not covered by federal law.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

The home seller, the home seeker, and the real estate professional all have rights and
responsibilities under the law.

For the Home Seller

As a home seller or landlord you have a responsibility and a requirement under the law not to
discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
handicap, familial status, or national origin. You cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson
acting as your agent to convey for you any limitations in the sale or rental because the real estate
professional is also bound by law not to discriminate. Under the law, a home seller or landlord
cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental; deny that housing is
available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

For the Home Seeker

You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or other
limitations based on race, color, religion, sex handicap, family status, or national origin.

This includes the right to expect:

Housing in your price range made available to you without discrimination;
Equal professional service;
The opportunity to consider a broad range of housing choices;
No discriminatory limitations on communities or locations of housing;
No discrimination in the financing, appraising, or insuring of housing;
Reasonable accommodations in rules, practices and procedures for persons with disabilities;
Non-discriminatory terms and conditions for the sale, rental, financing, or insuring of a dwelling; and
To be free from harassment or intimidation for exercising your fair housing rights.
For the Real Estate Professional
Agents in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. A request from the home seller or
landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by
the real estate professional.

THE REALTOR® FAIR HOUSING PROGRAM
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® has developed a Fair Housing Program to
provide resources and guidance to REALTORS® in ensuring equal professional services for all
people. The term REALTOR® identifies a licensed professional in real estate who is a member of
the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Not all licensed real estate brokers and
salespersons are members of the National Association, and only those who are may identify
themselves as REALTORS®. They conduct their business and activities in accordance with a strict
Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics
Article 10 of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Code of Ethics provides that
"REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color,
religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTORS® shall not be a party to any
plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion,
sex, handicap, familial status or national origin."

A REALTOR® pledges to conduct business in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Code of
Ethics. Article 10 imposes obligations upon REALTORS® and is also a firm statement of support
for equal opportunity in housing.

IF YOU SUSPECT DISCRIMINATION
Call the Local Board of REALTORS ®
Local Boards of REALTORS® will accept complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics filed
by a home seeker who alleges discriminatory treatment in the availability, purchase or rental of
housing. Local Boards of REALTORS® have a responsibility to enforce the Code of Ethics through
professional standards procedures and corrective action in cases where a violation of the Code of
Ethics is proven to have occurred.

Call the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Complaints alleging discrimination in housing may be filed with the nearest office of the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or by calling HUD's toll free
numbers, (202) 708-1112 (voice), or (202) 708-1455 (TTY)
Click to Contact HUD
Real Estate Rights
Office: 803-432-1220
Fax: 803-432-3512
grippernjrealtyr@bellsouth.net