What kind of evidence is required for a Fair Housing Law complaint?

In Washington, evidence is required to support a complaint of violation of the Fair Housing Law. This law protects people from discrimination based on certain protected characteristics when they are searching for housing. The evidence required to support a Fair Housing Law complaint could include oral or written comments, emails, or other documents expressing discriminatory intent. It could also include evidence of a pattern of conduct or policy that has a discriminatory effect. For example, if a housing provider refuses to rent to someone based on their race or gender, that behavior is prohibited by the law and can be used as evidence to support a fair housing complaint. Evidence can also include comparisons which demonstrate the difference in treatment of individuals with different protected characteristics. This could include evidence that a housing provider has treated individuals with different protected characteristics differently. This could include rent prices, service fees, lease terms and conditions, or maintenance policies. Physical inspections may also be used to support a fair housing complaint. In some cases, physical inspections can identify any differences in conditions of units, amenities, or services that may violate the Fair Housing Law. Additionally, if the housing provider has failed to respond to requests for reasonable accommodation, this can be used as evidence to support a complaint. If a person has requested a modification to their unit to accommodate their disability, and the housing provider has refused to grant the request, this can be used as evidence to support a fair housing complaint. Finally, a fair housing complaint may be supported by evidence of a pattern or practice of discrimination. If a housing provider has a history of treating individuals differently based on a protected characteristic, this can be used to support a fair housing complaint.

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