Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Housing

This week in Chicago, IL., a couple and their real estate agent & broker are facing charges for violating the federal Fair Housing Act.

 According to CNN.com:

The charge alleges the Sabbias and Lowe stalled negotiations and took the property off the market after receiving a $1.7 million offer from Willborn and his wife, Peytyn — the highest offer the Sabbias had received in the two years the property was listed, according to HUD.

The Sabbias accepted the offer, but refused to sign the sales contract, according to the HUD complaint. Six days after the offer was accepted, the Willborns’ agent asked about the issue, and Lowe told her that the “‘reality” of selling the house was ‘just hitting’” Adrienne Sabbia, the complaint said. The woman said she didn’t believe that, since the house had been listed for two years, according to the complaint. …

Lowe told investigators that while he was representing the Sabbias, Daniel Sabbia told him he would prefer not to sell the home to an African-American, but added “if it was for the right price he did not care who bought the house,” the complaint said.

However, the agency “has determined that reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred in this case based on race and has authorized and directed the issuance of this charge of discrimination,” according to the complaint.

 The Sabbias could be fined up to $16,000 and a judge could also award punitive damages.

 It is important for all sellers, buyers and real estate professionals to understand what their rights and responsibilities are.

For the Home Seller: As a home seller or landlord you have 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.

For the Home Seeker: You have the right to expect that housing will be available to you without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

For the Real Estate Professional: Agents in a real estate transaction are prohibited by law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. A request from the home seller or landlord to act in a discriminatory manner in the sale, lease or rental cannot legally be fulfilled by the real estate professional.

 More information: What Everyone Should Know About Equal Opportunity in Housing

Realtors®  pledge to conduct business in keeping with the spirit and letter of the Code of Ethics. Article 10 of our Code of Ethics provides that “REALTORS® shall not deny equal professional services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. REALTORS® 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. REALTORS®, in their real estate employment practices, shall not discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.”