In recognition of April as Fair Housing Month, the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is promoting activities, courses and initiatives about requirements, rights, and responsibilities under fair housing laws. SILVAR also encourages its members to take "Fairhaven," an innovative online simulation that is part of the National Association of REALTORS® ACT! Initiative, which emphasizes accountability, culture change, and training to promote equal housing opportunity within the industry.
"The Fair Housing Law, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws exist to protect the rights of all people from all backgrounds from discrimination. REALTORS® represent both buyers and sellers and hold the key to promoting inclusive, diverse communities," says Eileen Giorgi, 2024 president of the local trade association.
All REALTORS® abide by NAR's Code of Ethics that provides under Article 10 that REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin. This policy is embodied in NAR's Code of Ethics.
Giorgi stresses, "Fair housing is fundamental. REALTORS® in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminatory practices."
A home seller or landlord has a responsibility and a requirement under the law not to discriminate in the sale, rental and financing of property on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They cannot instruct the licensed broker or salesperson acting as their agent to convey any limitations in the sale or rental because REALTORS® are also bound by law not to discriminate. They cannot establish discriminatory terms or conditions in the purchase or rental, deny that housing is available, or advertise that the property is available only to persons of a certain race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Buyers or renters have the right to expect that housing will be available without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity, handicap, familial status, or national origin. They also have the right to expect freedom from harassment or intimidation for exercising their fair housing rights.
Not all real estate agents carry the designation of REALTOR®. To find a REALTOR® who adheres to a strict code of ethics, visit www.silvar.org.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.