Protecting Your Housing Rights: A Primer on AZ’s ‘Fair Housing’ Law
Last week I covered the shortcomings of the 1973 Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, including details of how that law – which provides the legal foundation for both landlords and tenants tilts strongly toward landlords.
I also wrote about necessary to be fairer to tenants including Just Cause Eviction Protections; Extended Eviction Timelines; Mandatory Mediation’ and a Heat Season Eviction Moratorium
Updating Arizona’s Landlord-Tenant Act: A Crucial Step to Prevent Evictions and Save Lives
This week we cover the federal Fair Housing Act and Arizona’s Civil Rights Act – which includes housing discrimination protections.
The federal Fair Housing Act was part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act. Its goal was to eliminate housing discrimination and makes it unlawful for landlords or sellers to discriminate in connection with housing because of a person’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status or physical or mental disability.
Arizona doesn’t have a standalone “Arizona Fair Housing Act” but we do have fair housing protections in the Arizona Civil Rights Act, which aligns with some federal fair housing laws.
View Arizona’s Civil Rights Act ARS 41-1491 to 41-1491.37
Fair Housing | Arizona Department of Housing
Both the federal Fair Housing Act and the state Civil Rights Act make it illegal for anyone to refuse to sell or rent a property to you based on ‘protected characteristics’.
It also prohibits setting different terms, lying about the availability of housing, or using discriminatory advertising. The goal is to create a level playing field so that everyone has the same opportunity to find a house or apartment.
The Acts also require landlords and homeowners’ associations to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
The AZ Attorney General’s Office is responsible for enforcing this law.
People who believe they’ve been a victim of housing discrimination can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General’s Office (within one year of the incident).
The AG’s office is supposed to investigate your complaint, and if they find evidence of discrimination, they can take legal action to protect your rights.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of housing discrimination you can contact the Attorney General’s Office at 602-542-5263 or email
Ci*************@az**.gov
.