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Prohibited Housing Practices
The Fair Employment and Housing Act specificly:
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Provides protection from harassment or discrimination in housing because of:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
- Marital Status
- National Origin
- Ancestry
- Familial Status
- Source of Income
- Disability
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Prohibits discrimination and harassment in all aspects of housing including sales and rentals, evictions, terms and conditions, mortgage loans and insurance, and land use and zoning.
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Requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodation in rules and practices to permit persons with disabilities to use and enjoy a dwelling and to allow persons with disabilities to make reasonable modifications of the premises.
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Prohibits retaliation against any person who has filed a complaint with the Department, participated in a Department investigation or opposed any activity prohibited by the Act.
The law provides for a variety of remedies, which may include:
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Housing Previously Denied
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Out-Of-Pocket Expenses
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Cease and Desist Orders
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Damages for Emotional Distress
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Reasonable Attorneys Fees and Costs
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Expert Witness Fees
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Civil Penalties
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Court Ordered Punitive Damages
Persons who believe they have experienced housing discrimination may file a
DFEH complaint. Complaints must be filed within one year from the
date of the alleged discriminatory act.
Persons wishing to file a lawsuit directly in court do not need a
"right-to-sue" from DFEH.
Civil lawsuits must be filed within two years of the alleged discrimination.
For further information on housing discrimination, call the appropriate telephone
number found by clicking the link below.
Prohibited Employment Practices
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