Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
Housing Rights for Families with Children: Know Your Rights!
For moms and expectant mothers: The federal Fair Housing Act generally prohibits discrimination in any type of housing-related transaction (like buying or renting an apartment or house, or a landlord providing services or facilities in your housing) on the basis of a protected class, including Familial Status. Familial Status means:
- Families with children under the age of 18 in the household
- Pregnant women
- Any adult seeking legal custody of a child under 18
- Both traditional and non-traditional family structures
What sort of conduct is discriminatory? Well, discrimination can come in many forms. For example, any of the following may be discriminatory:
- “No kids” or “adults only” policies
- Marketing exclusively to families without children
- Permitting families with children only in certain sections/areas
- Restricting children in common areas because of “unsafe conditions”
- Rules prohibiting parents and children, or male and female children, from sharing a bedroom
- Charging families with children a higher rent or security deposit than tenants without children
Here at Westchester Residential Opportunities, our fair housing group investigates discrimination in housing-related transactions. If you suspect you or someone you know has been the victim of discrimination, or you just want to understand your rights under the fair housing laws, please call us at 914-428-4507, or visit us at www.wroinc.org.
