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Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & History
    • Who We Serve
    • FHANC Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Financials
    • Pillars of Anti-racism
  • What Is Fair Housing?
    • History of Fair Housing
    • Federal Fair Housing Rights
    • California and Local Fair Housing Rights
    • Housing Industry Resources
    • Fair Housing Resources
    • April: Fair Housing Month
  • Audit Investigations & Reports
  • Programs and Services
    • For Renters
    • For Homeowners - Foreclosure Prevention
    • Education >
      • Fair Housing Literature
      • Community Outreach
      • School Programs
    • Education for Homebuyers
    • Advocacy & AFFH
  • Service Areas
    • Marin County
    • Solano County
    • Sonoma County
    • Other Geographic Areas
  • News & Events
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Housing Industry Resources

Fair Housing Law

Strengthen your Fair Housing policies by learning more about Fair Housing Law. The Federal Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, citizenship, immigration status, and familial status. In the State of California, there are additional protections for marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income and arbitrary characteristics such as age through the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Based on the protected classes above, it is illegal to:  
  • Refuse to rent, lease, or sell most types of housing.
  • Represent that housing is not available when it is.
  • Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for housing or for use of housing facilities, or enforce rules for some tenants only.
  • Quote higher rent or security deposit to some tenants.
  • Make necessary repairs for some tenants only.
  • Steer potential tenants to other complexes or certain parts of a complex.
  • Advertise in a discriminatory manner.

Best Practices to Prevent Discrimination

  • Be consistent, fair and reasonable. Apply all rental policies equally.
  • Provide all your managers with fair housing training.
  • Provide accurate, complete information about available units and equal treatment to all who inquire.
  • Do not request marital status or race on your applications.
  • Accept the first application that meets all of your requirements.
  • If you deny an application, keep a record of the reasons for the denial for at least three years.
  • Refund security deposits as state law mandates.
  • Respond to your tenants’ concerns and needs.
  • Establish reasonable rules for recreation and use of premises.
  • Avoid words like “Adult or Mature Couple” or “Professional” in your ads. Describe the property features instead.

Learn More

Federal Fair Housing Rights Laws
State Fair Housing Rights Laws

Trainings  

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California offers professional training seminars and conferences on fair housing law. The courses are appropriate for property owners and managers, and other real estate professionals in the private and public sectors. Contact the education department for more information.

On-site Training Seminars

Fair Housing Advocates offers comprehensive on-site fair housing training. We provide a customized session of our basic Fair Housing Law and Practice course and also offer in-depth training programs that cover a wide range of fair housing related topics. Contact the education department for more information.

Successfully Housing People with Disabilities Conference

A day-long conference on Reasonable Accommodations (RA) and fair housing laws as they pertain to people with disabilities. The conference includes an overview of fair housing law focusing on disability rights, followed by roundtable discussions led by experienced facilitators. Materials include a comprehensive handbook that includes the laws and frequently asked questions about Reasonable Accommodations.  Check our Events page for future conferences and training sessions.

​Newly Released Fair Housing Video for Housing Providers!
​The video highlights 12 Prohibited Activities and 12 Best Practices to educate housing professionals of key responsibilities under fair housing law.
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Click here for video

¡Nuevo Vídeo sobre la Vivienda Justa para Proveedores de Vivienda!
El vídeo destaca 12 actividades prohibidas y 12 mejores prácticas para educar a los profesionales de vivienda sobre las responsabilidades claves según la ley de vivienda justa.
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Vea el vídeo en este enlace
​

Fair Housing Law and Practice Webinar in Spanish
Seminario Web - Vivienda Justa: Ley y Práctica

Helpful Links

  • Download Housing Provider’s Rights and Responsibilities Brochure
  • More Resources
  • What Is Fair Housing?
  • Fair Housing Law and Practice Webinar for Public Housing Authorities and CDBG Recipients. Presented by Fair Housing of Marin, 2014. All rights reserved.
  • Fair Housing and Gender: A training for the housing industry and housing advocates. All rights reserved.​​
  • Discriminatory Statements/Advertising Webinar. Presented by Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California, 2018. All rights reserved.
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Mailing Address:
851 Irwin Street
​Suite 218
San Rafael, CA 94901

Note: we no longer meet with clients in person as most of our staff work remotely.
Phone 415.457.5025
Fax 415.457.6382
Staff Directory
Contact Us
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TDD: (800) 735-2922
Se habla español
​
We welcome our site visitors with content in Spanish and Vietnamese.
En Espanol
TIẾNG VIỆT

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & History
    • Who We Serve
    • FHANC Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Financials
    • Pillars of Anti-racism
  • What Is Fair Housing?
    • History of Fair Housing
    • Federal Fair Housing Rights
    • California and Local Fair Housing Rights
    • Housing Industry Resources
    • Fair Housing Resources
    • April: Fair Housing Month
  • Audit Investigations & Reports
  • Programs and Services
    • For Renters
    • For Homeowners - Foreclosure Prevention
    • Education >
      • Fair Housing Literature
      • Community Outreach
      • School Programs
    • Education for Homebuyers
    • Advocacy & AFFH
  • Service Areas
    • Marin County
    • Solano County
    • Sonoma County
    • Other Geographic Areas
  • News & Events
    • In The News
    • Press Releases & Statements
    • Events & Workshops
    • FHANC Newsletters
    • Fair Housing Conference 2023
    • Fair Housing Conference 2022
    • Fair Housing Conference 2021
    • COVID-19 Panel
    • Fair Housing Conference 2020
    • Fair Housing Conference 2019
    • Fair Housing Conference 2018
  • Donate
    • Main Donation Page
    • Cy Pres Awards
    • Vehicle Donations
    • More Ways to Give
  • Get Involved
    • Job Opportunities
    • Become an Investigator
    • Join Our Board
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Request Assistance
    • Privacy Policy
    • Education Programs
  • Fair Housing Conference 2025
  • Poetry Contest 2024