Are there laws that protect a tenant from discrimination?

Yes, there are laws in Florida that protect tenants from discrimination. The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, familial status, disability, and sex. In addition, Florida’s fair housing laws, which are contained in the Fair Housing Act of 1988, prohibit a landlord from discriminating against a tenant or prospective tenant based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. In Florida, landlords are not allowed to deny a tenant based on any of these protected characteristics. The FHA provides the right to equal housing without discrimination and also makes it unlawful for a landlord to harass a tenant, including making unwelcome comments, jokes, or other verbal or physical conduct based on a protected characteristic. Additionally, a landlord may not refuse to show or rent a property to a tenant because of their membership in a protected class. Tenants may also be discriminated against based on their personal lifestyle, family status, or source of income. For instance, landlords are prohibited from refusing to rent to a tenant based on their family status, or because they receive income from government assistance programs. If you feel like you have been discriminated against by your landlord, it is important to contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to report the incident. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is also a valuable resource if you believe you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability, or if you believe your rights under the Fair Housing Act have been violated.

Are there laws that protect a tenant from discrimination?

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