Housing Rights
Your civil rights in housing — discrimination, eviction, and habitability.
- 1.If denied housing based on a protected characteristic, document the interaction
- 2.For eviction proceedings, you have the right to a court hearing in most jurisdictions
- 3.Request repairs in writing and keep copies
- 4.Know that retaliation for reporting habitability issues is illegal in most states
- 5.Do not abandon the premises during an eviction proceeding without legal advice
Your Rights
- ✓Right to be free from housing discrimination based on protected characteristics (Fair Housing Act)
- ✓Right to a habitable dwelling (implied warranty of habitability in most states)
- ✓Right to due process before eviction
- ✓Right to reasonable notice before landlord entry in most states
- ✓Right to return of security deposit minus legitimate deductions
- ✓Right to organize as tenants without retaliation
Key Phrases to Use
"I am formally requesting repairs in writing per our lease agreement."
"I believe I am being discriminated against in violation of the Fair Housing Act."
"I am requesting reasonable accommodation for my disability."
"I will not authorize entry without 24 hours written notice as required by law."
What Officers Cannot Do
Discriminate in any aspect of housing based on protected characteristics
Evict you without a court order
Enter your rental unit without proper notice (except emergency) in most states
Retaliate against you for reporting code violations or organizing with tenants
Key Cases
Court rulings related to this situation.