Kansas City Fair Housing Lawyer

Missouri Housing Discrimination Attorney

Violations of the Fair Housing Act

Biases of property owners should not be a barrier to where you wish to live. The federal Fair Housing Act and subsequent legislation makes it illegal for landlords to discriminate against certain types of people in renting apartments, or for owners of residential property to discriminate in selling homes, town homes or condos.

Attorney Julie Carter has prosecuted many housing discrimination claims. Carter Law Offices represents clients in the Kansas City, Missouri area and greater Phoenix, Arizona. Call 816-283-3500 to arrange a free consultation.

The Fair Housing Act

Under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (the Fair Housing Act), it is illegal to discriminate in residential rental or sales on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin. This includes refusing to rent or giving preference based on these criteria, or actions intended to discourage a protected group from settling in a certain neighborhood. In the years since, state and federal laws have added protections against discrimination on the basis of age, sex, disability, familial status (minor children) or marital status.

In addition to cases involving apartment complexes and public housing, Ms. Carter has handled (a) several cases against municipal and county governments alleging discrimination in land use and zoning, and (b) lawsuits against landlords and homeowners associations for failing to provide reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.

In a nationwide case of first impression, the Arizona Court of Appeals held that an "over-55" housing development must modify its policies as a reasonable accommodation to allow two age-qualified parents to move into the housing community with their 27-year-old son with severe developmental disability. Canady v. Prescott Canyon Estates Homeowners' Assn., 204 Ariz. 91 (Ariz. App. 2002).

In a free case evaluation, Julie Carter can advise whether a property owner has violated the Fair Housing Act or other laws of Arizona, Missouri or Kansas pertaining to rental housing or home purchase.