fair housing act
Fair housing laws apply to anyone renting property to others. Some types of discrimination in housing are prohibited under federal and state laws. Who and what is protected differs slightly different between the federal law, the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601-3631, and state law, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, 43 P.S.§ 951 et seq. If the housing is in State College Borough, there is also a local ordinance (Borough of State College Ordinances Chapter V, Part E) that provides even more expansive protections than the Federal or State laws.
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Federal law protects:
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State law also protects:
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State College Borough's ordinance also protects:
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Unlawful acts include, but are not limited to:
If you are in a protected class and want to request a reasonable accommodation to make housing accessible to you, North Penn Legal Services offers an interactive document you can use to formulate that request. They also offer a detailed chapter on the law, how to pursue remedies, and time limitations on making a complaint.
A common question in State College is whether emotional support animals are permitted in 'no pet' housing, what documentation is needed to demonstrate the need for the emotional support animal and how to request the accommodation. The Judge David L. Bazelton Center for Mental Health Law has a helpful information sheet on that topic.
If you feel you've been discriminated against, talk to a lawyer. To take action on your own, fair housing complaints can be filed online with the appropriate federal or state or local agency.
- Refusing to sell or lease housing to you
- Discriminating in terms, conditions, services or privileges
- Saying that a dwelling is not available when it is
- If you are disabled, refusing to permit you to make changes in your home to suit your disability
If you are in a protected class and want to request a reasonable accommodation to make housing accessible to you, North Penn Legal Services offers an interactive document you can use to formulate that request. They also offer a detailed chapter on the law, how to pursue remedies, and time limitations on making a complaint.
A common question in State College is whether emotional support animals are permitted in 'no pet' housing, what documentation is needed to demonstrate the need for the emotional support animal and how to request the accommodation. The Judge David L. Bazelton Center for Mental Health Law has a helpful information sheet on that topic.
If you feel you've been discriminated against, talk to a lawyer. To take action on your own, fair housing complaints can be filed online with the appropriate federal or state or local agency.
Every situation is different. This website is meant to give you only general information, not specific legal advice.
For legal advice, consult an attorney.
For legal advice, consult an attorney.