CTO FORM LETTERS
FL 8.2 FAIR HOUSING
REDUCTION OR DENIAL OF SERVICES TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDERN

The Federal Fair Housing Law, as amended in 1988, recognizes familial status as a protected class. Landlords may not:

• Refuse to rent to families with children
• Establish different rules for use of the premises for families with children
• Impose different rental charges based on familial status
• Advertise a property as adult only
• "steer" tenants to a specific unit or section of the complex based on familial status

Exceptions to this law exist for housing for the elderly, the rental of a single-family home provided the owner has three or fewer single family houses and is not using an agent, and if the building has four or fewer units and the owner of the property lives in one of the units.

You have the right to sue in Federal Court or to file a complaint through HUD to have the matter investigated. Any person who feels that he/she has been a victim can file a complaint no later than one year after the alleged violation occured. You can file the complaint in person at your local HUD office or by mail and sending it to:

If you wish to file in Federal Court, you are best advised to talk with an attorney.

This Form Letter is a sample of a letter you might draft and send to the landlord before beginning legal proceedings.