As a housing provider or someone seeking housing, it is important that you understand housing discrimination laws. Under housing discrimination laws, tenants are ensured their right to housing without being subject to discrimination. These laws prohibit landlords from using race, color, religion, sex, marital status, or disability to discriminate against tenants or buyers during the housing process. Housing discrimination laws may also extend to those providing housing-related services, such as banks, lenders, or insurance companies, but primarily only deal with landlords and real estate agencies.

For landlords and agencies, the housing discrimination laws specifically prohibit refusal of rent or sale based on discriminatory reasons. However, landlords can screen tenants and deny housing for valid business-related reasons, particularly ones of a financial nature. If discrimination does occur, landlords may be subject to penalty in the form of an injunction, civil penalties, or monetary damages.