What Is Illegal Housing Discrimination In Oregon?
2020-2021 has been tough for landlords in Oregon for many reasons but illegal housing discrimination continues to be a top problem.
As more cases are arising across the State of Oregon each year and all landlords must be knowledgeable about housing discrimination so they can protect their best interests.
What Is Illegal Housing Discrimination?
Discrimination occurs when a tenant is not rented base on their nationality, gender, occupation, disability, family status, or any other classification that makes them part of a ‘protected group’.
Housing discrimination in Oregon, or elsewhere across the United States, is illegal regardless if it’s unintentional or deliberate.
The Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. Additional protections apply to federally-assisted housing.
Learn about the History of the Fair Housing Act, and read Examples of the many forms of housing discrimination.
Who Is Protected?
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial Status
- Disability
What Types of Housing Are Covered?
The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In very limited circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family houses sold or rented by the owner without the use of an agent, and housing operated by religious organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
How Housing Discrimination Can Be Prevented
Thankfully, housing discrimination can be prevented when a landlord applies the same standards for screening tenants, to all tenants that they communicate with.
Treating everyone fairly removes any chance that a landlord can be accused of bias when it comes to why one tenant was chosen over another.
In 2021, landlords have a tougher job than ever before when it comes to screening tenants because landlords also can’t discriminate against tenants if they smoke marijuana or have an arrest record.
Landlords also must not take into account late rent or evictions that may have occurred during COVID-19 because any adversity that occurred to a tenant during the pandemic is viewed as not being a tenant’s fault.
Ultimately, housing discrimination can be prevented when a landlord hires a property manager because a property manager will save a landlord the hassle of managing their rental properties themselves.
Landlords who work with property managers can have peace of mind in knowing that the laws are followed when it comes to screening tenants, and they can take themselves completely out of the management process.
Contact Rent Portland Homes – Professionals
At Rent Portland Homes – Professionals, we specialize in full-service property management which includes tenant screening, placement, maintenance, and more.
To learn more about the services that we can offer you, contact us today by calling (503) 447-7735 or click here to connect with us online.