April 2020

Different treatment given to home seekers because of their:

– Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental

– Giving different sale or rental prices to keep people out

– Denying ANYONE the use of real estate services, broker services or multiple listing services

– Refusing to finance, rent or sell to a person because of race, religion, gender, etc.

– Landlords or Real Estate agents saying:

“We won’t allow children to live here.”

“I think you’d be happier someplace else.”

“We don’t accept handicapped tenants.”

Mortgage and lending companies are also prohibited from:

• Refusing to make a mortgage loan

• Failing to provide information regarding loans

• Imposing different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points or fees

• Discriminating in appraising property

• Refusing to purchase a loan

• Setting different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

• Provides protection for persons exercising a fair housing right and protects those people against threats, coercion, intimidation and interference.

• This applies to both single-family and owner-occupied housing

Federal law defines a disability as, “A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person’s major life activities, a record of having such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment.”

If requested, a landlord/property manager MUST make reasonable modifications to a dwelling or common use area if the modification is necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.

The modification must not present undue burden on the landlord, at which time the modification can be denied. Landlords may require the resident to pay for the modifications on the property and require that those modifications be removed when the resident vacates the property.

Major life activity impairments include the limitations of such functions as:•Caring for one’s self•Performing manual tasks•Walking •Seeing•Hearing•Speaking•Breathing•Learning •Working

•Public use and common use areas which are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities•Doors designed to allow passage into and within the units which are sufficiently wide enough to allow passage by people in wheelchairs•An accessible route into and through each unit•Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls in accessible locations•Reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars•Wheelchair accessible kitchens and bathrooms

Newly constructed multifamily dwellings with 4 or more units MUST meet the following standards:

The Federal Government

Fair Housing Law of Civil Rights

Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act)

The State of Ohio

Senate Bill 162 – 1976

The City of Eaton

Fair Housing Law of Civil RightsAct of 1968

Preble County

Resolution #62-85-52

Report it IMMEDIATELY to:PREBLE COUNTY –

Commission Office

(937) 456-8143

CITY OF EATON –

Office of the City Manager

(937) 456-4125

DAYTON CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

(937) 333-1413

MIAMI VALLEY FAIR HOUSING CENTER

(937) 223-6035

• Any person may make a complaint of alleged discrimination to either the City of Eaton or Preble County, no later than 6 months after the incident

• Reporting suspected housing discrimination helps you, as well as anyone who has been or could be treated unfairly.

If investigation and review of your complaint shows that discrimination did occur, you may receive the housing unit that you originally sought.In addition, it’s possible that you could be awarded a financial settlement from the Discriminator for your suffering and distress.If the investigation of your complaint does not show that discrimination occurred, you will still be assisted in finding a solution to your problem.

• Attract as many tenants or

buyers as possible

• Advertise your property, but

do not indicate or imply any

preference or discriminate in any way – it is against the law

• A lease agreement protects the landlord and the tenant under the Ohio Landlord/Tenant Law

• A security deposit is good practice as a type of insurance in case a tenant damages the property or moves out while owing rent

• However, if the amount of the deposit exceeds one month’s rent, the excess is subject to a 5% interest per year that the lease is in force

• Screen your tenants/buyers

using a consistent process and

screen every prospect

• You have the right to complain to a government agency about your landlord’s violation of housing laws, legal duties or regulations that affect health and safety

• You have the right to complain to your landlord if he/she fails to perform any legal duties. If you complain and the landlord retaliates against you by increasing rent, decreasing services or seeking eviction because you complained, the landlord has violated the law

• You have the right to know the name and address of the owner of your residential premises

• You have a right of privacy, which the landlord must respect

• The landlord may enter your apartment with at least 24 hours notice for certain legitimate reasons and emergency situations

• If the landlord has received a written complaint from you about the premises, you have the right to have repairs made within 30 days or less for conditions that affect health and safety

• If the landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time, you may have a right to escrow your rent, get a court order for repairs to be made or a court order to reduce rent. You may also terminate your rental agreement and move out.

Dayton Civil Rights Commission

371 W. Second St. – Suite 100

Dayton, Ohio 45402

(937) 333-1413

Miami Valley Fair Housing Center

505 Riverside Dr.

Dayton, Ohio 45405

(937) 223-6035

Preble County Commission101 E. Main St.Eaton, Ohio 45320(937) 456-8143

City of Eaton(937) 456-4125328 N. Maple St.Eaton, Ohio 45320

Home Is the Foundation (HIT)111 W. Somers St.Eaton, Ohio 45320(937) 472-0500

The key to fair housing opportunity is

CHOICE

Know your hour housing rights

When in doubt, seek legal advice

Do not be afraid to take a stand