As the leading advocate for home ownership and housing issues, the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® joins the nation in observing Fair Housing Month in April. This year marks the 44th anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap.
"REALTORS® play a vital role in ensuring fair housing for all and strive every day to make home ownership accessible to everyone," said Suzanne Yost, president of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®. "REALTORS® are on the 'front lines,' working with buyers and sellers to see that they enjoy the benefits of a housing market free from discrimination."
Members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® abide by a 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, or national origin and shall not be a party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against a person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
The home seller, the prospective home buyer and the real estate professional all have rights and responsibilities under the law.
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, 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 the real estate professional is also bound by law not to discriminate.
Buyers or renters have the right to expect that housing will be available without discrimination.
This includes the right to expect:
"A real estate professional cannot legally fulfill a request from a home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental," Yost noted.
Buyers or renters who believe they have experienced discrimination, may file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). Complaints must be filed within one year of the alleged discrimination.
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.