The Dutchess County Association of REALTORS® celebrates all cultures and backgrounds.
We are committed to treating all people fairly and equally. The REALTORS® Code of Ethics commits members of the REALTOR® organization to providing equal professional service without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, disability (handicap), familial status, or national origin.
That commitment reflects the same principles embodied in the Fair Housing Act. We, REALTORS®, recognize that we can only accomplish this value by continuing to embrace diversity, equality, inclusion and justice. We are standing strong together today and each day to come.
Federal, State, and Local Fair Housing Laws protect individuals from housing discrimination. It is unlawful to discriminate based on certain protected characteristics, which include, but are not limited to race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, age, disability, marital status, lawful source of income, or familial status.
The following are examples of potential Fair Housing violations:
- Refusing to rent, sell or show a property based on a potential tenant or purchaser’s protected characteristic.
- Quoting a higher price to a purchaser or renter because of the potential purchaser or tenant’s protected characteristic.
- Refusing to rent to a tenant who has children or increasing a security deposit based on the number of children who will be living in the apartment.
- Steering prospective tenants or purchasers to certain neighborhoods based on any protected characteristics.
- Refusing to rent to a potential tenant because of their source of income, including but not limited to, Section 8 vouchers or other government subsidies.
- Refusing to waive a “no pet” policy for tenants that require service, assistance or emotional support animal.
- Discriminating at the direction of a seller or landlord or because it is the preference of a seller or landlord.
- Refusing to rent to a renter who is a victim of domestic violence.
You have the right to file a complaint:
- New York State, Department of State: 518.474.4429
- New York State, Division of Human Rights: 844.862.8703
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001
Customer Service:
518.474.4429
www.dos.ny.gov
licensing@dos.ny.gov