OSPIRG's Renters Handbook:
Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Discrimination

Fair Housing laws protect you from discrimination by landlords, managers, agents, owners, and neighbors.

Federal Law

It is illegal to discriminate in any housing transaction on the basis of race, color, sex, family status, religion, national origin or mental or physical disability.

Oregon Law

In addition to the above, in Oregon it is illegal to discriminate because of your marital status or your source of income (provided the source is not illegal or criminal). (659.033)

Note: Landlords may, however, reject a couple who are unmarried, unrelated, and of the opposite sex if the rental requires the use of a common bath or bedroom. (659.033)

In Portland, Eugene, and Corvallis, it is also illegal to discriminate because of your sexual orientation or age. In Ashland, it is illegal to discriminate because of sexual orientation.

The fair housing laws exist to prevent the unfair treatment of protected classes by landlords. It does not, however, mean that landlords need to waive or change the rules for them. Fair landlords apply the same criteria when screening and working with all types of tenants. For example, a family with children which doesn't meet the minimum income level set by a land- lord for all applicants would not be discriminated against if the landlord denied the application.

D. Identifying Discrimination

Most discrimination happens without the victim having the slightest suspicion that discrimination has occurred. Examples of illegal discrimination may include:

• saying that there is no vacancy when there is one;
• requiring a credit check or charging a higher rent or deposit only for members of a protected class (minorities, families, disabled, etc.);
• trying to discourage a member of a protected class in any way (i.e., There are no other people of color here; you may feel more comfortable somewhere else; or
• any other distinction in the terms or conditions of the rental.

E. What to Do

If you feel you have been discriminated against, the supposed violation should be reported. Depending on the type of discrimination, there are several ways to seek help.

The Oregon Fair Housing Council can provide additional assistance and may set up a test to determine if discrimination is actually happening.

For federally protected groups: call the Fair Housing Enforcement division of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1-800-669-9777).

For complaints about race, color, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, and the city-specific age and sexual orientation regulations, call the Civil Rights Division of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (503-731-4075).

You can also seek legal assistance and file complaints in federal or state courts. Even if you don t have proof, file a complaint, especially if you feel you have been discriminated against during the application process. Quick action may result in preventing the landlord from renting the unit to someone else until your case is resolved.

OSPIRG Renter's Handbook Table of Contents