Use different application requirements, discriminatory screening criteria, or refuse to accept housing vouchers or other lawful sources of income
Charge different rent, deposits, fees, lease terms, or apply other unique rules based on protected characteristics
Refuse reasonable requests for disability accommodations or modifications
Provide different levels of maintenance, repairs, or services
Use discriminatory eviction practices or lease non-renewals
Create a hostile living environment by retaliating against tenants who assert their rights
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Who the Law Covers
The law applies to:
Landlords and property owners
Property management companies
Real estate agents and brokers
Mortgage lenders and financial institutions
Homeowners associations
Anyone involved in the sale, rental, or financing of housing
Types of housing covered:
Rental apartments and houses
Homes for sale
Condominiums and cooperatives
Mobile home parks
Temporary and transitional housing
Student housing
Important note about exemptions: Some very small properties where the owner lives in the building may be exempt from certain provisions, though discrimination is still generally prohibited.
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Special Protections: Safe Homes Act
If you are a survivor of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, you have additional protections under the Safe Homes Act.
Key protections include the right to:
Request early lease termination without penalty in certain circumstances
Have locks changed for your safety
Have police reports or orders of protection considered as evidence of your situation
Be protected from eviction based solely on being a victim of violence
What IDHR Cannot Do