San Carlos, CA

Fair Housing

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits those engaged in the housing business – landlords, real estate agents, home sellers, builders, mortgage lenders, among others – from discriminating against tenants or homeowners listed in the section “Who is protected?”

It is also illegal for cities, counties, or other local government agencies to make zoning or land-use decisions, or have policies, that discriminate against individuals based on those traits.

Violations of the anti-discrimination law include the following:

  • Refusal to sell, rent, or lease rooms, apartments, condos or houses to protected individuals

  • Refusal to negotiate for the sale, rental, or lease of housing
  • Representation that a housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when it is in fact available
  • Denial of a home loan or homeowner’s insurance
  • Cancellation or termination of a sale or rental agreement
  • Policies, practices, terms, or conditions that result in unequal access to housing or housing-related services
  • Offering inferior terms, conditions, privileges, facilities or services in connection with the housing accommodation
  • Sexual harassment involving unwanted sexual advances or requiring sexual favors for housing rights or privileges
  • Refusal to permit, at a disabled tenant’s expense, reasonable modifications when necessary to accommodate a disability
  • Refusal to make reasonable accommodations in housing rules, policies, practices, or services where necessary to afford a disabled person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling
  • Retaliation against someone filing a complaint
  • Overly restrictive rules limiting the activities of daily life for families with children, including where children are allowed to play 
If you suspect you’ve been denied housing due to discrimination, Project Sentinel, a local nonprofit agency may be able to help.  Call toll-free (888) 324-7468 or visit the Project Sentinel’s website at www.housing.org. Email Project Sentinel's Fair Housing Center at fairhousing@housing.org

California's Civil Rights Department (CRD) seeks to prevent and reduce housing discrimination in the state by enforcing the law.
If you feel you were the victim of discrimination, CRD is available to investigate and help settle your complaint. To begin this process file an intake form in one of three ways:

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