National Origin Housing Discrimination

Information for Individuals Experiencing Housing Discrimination Based on National Origin

What is National Origin Discrimination?

Under the Fair Housing Act and California law, it is illegal for housing providers to treat you differently because of your birthplace, ethnicity, culture, or ancestry. This includes refusing to rent an available unit, making necessary repairs to the unit, or harassing you because of your perceived national origin.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits national origin discrimination in both private and federally assisted housing. Under the Fair Housing Act, a housing provider cannot treat people from a certain country unfairly just because they have trouble reading, writing, or speaking English.

Searching or Applying for Housing?

How to Protect Yourself When Searching for a Place to Rent

Watch out for the following signs of national origin discrimination:

Refusing to rent or sell housing to someone because they are from another country or speak a different language.

Charging higher deposits or giving different rules because of someone’s national origin or someone's accent.

Bullying, threatening, or harassing someone because of their culture, national origin, or accent.

You receive complaints from your neighbors/landlord regarding smells caused by cooking food associated with your national origin such as curries, cumin, ginger etc.

Examples of national origin discrimination:

You are asked where you come from.

The landlord refuses to allow you to use an interpreter.

You are told there are no available units, but the ad is still posted.

The rent or deposit quoted to you is higher than advertised.

The landlord refuses to rent to you because you do not speak English well.

What Can the Landlord Ask For?

The landlord can ask for documentation to verify your identity. Generally you are not obligated to provide a social security number. Alternative forms of identification include:

i. ITIN: An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

ii. California driver’s license: In California, you can also apply for a state driver’s license regardless of immigration status.

iii. Foreign passports

iv. Consular ID cards

programas administrados para ayudar a las personas con problemas de vivienda

You have the right to:

Equal treatment in all aspects of housing regardless of your National Origin.

Use your preferred language in your home and in the common areas.

Report discrimination without fear of retaliation.

What can you do to protect yours from discrimination?

If you suspect you are being discriminated based on your national origin:

Document everything: Take notes on any application requirements, and the name and contact information of anyone you speak to. Keep copies of any rental ads, voicemails or emails.
Ensure you fully understand the terms of your lease before signing. Unless the property receives federal funding, the landlord has no obligation to provide an interpreter but you have the right to bring your own.

Retaliation is Illegal!

It is illegal for your landlord to retaliate against you for reaching out to a fair housing agency like Project Sentinel for help.

Our services are completely free and our Fair Housing Center is not affiliated with any government agencies or entities.

Do not hesitate to call and reach out for help.

We can help.

Project Sentinel provides free and confidential services, including:

Counseling and investigation of housing discrimination complaints.
Education about fair housing rights.
Help communicating with landlords or housing providers.
Referrals to legal and other resources.

Contact Project Sentinel for Assistance

Project Sentinel is a nonprofit fair housing agency that provides education and counseling to community members, housing providers, and tenants about the fair housing laws. We also investigate complaints and advocate for those who have experienced housing discrimination.

Know Your Rights

Under federal and state Fair Housing laws, it is illegal for anyone involved

with the sale or rental of housing including owners, property managers and staff, real estate agents, HOAs, shelters, banks, and mobile home parks to:

refuse to rent or sell a home
charge higher rent or security deposit
steer people to or from homes in certain neighborhoods or buildings
evict a tenant
apply different rules or criteria, or otherwise
treat people differently
harass or threaten a housing seeker, their friends, and family members

...because of one of the following protected characteristics:

50+

programas administrados para ayudar a las personas con problemas de vivienda

50+

programas administrados para ayudar a las personas con problemas de vivienda

*Family with children under the age of 18

**Section 8/ Federal, State, or Local Public Assistance & Housing Subsidies