FAIR HOUSING POLICY
Sol Property Management firmly believes that choosing a home directly impacts the hopes, dreams, and economic destiny of those involved. It is for this reason that Sol Property Management is committed to the letter and spirit of all federal and state laws enacted to guarantee a housing market free from discrimination.
Sol Property Management’s policies are based on The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Unruh Act and other California state laws prohibit discrimination in housing because of:
Race
Color
National origin
Religion
Sex
Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18)
Handicap (disability)
Age
Ancestry
Citizenship
Gender Identity and Gender Expression
Genetic Information
Immigration Status
Marital Status
Primary Language
Sexual Orientation
Source of Income
Any other arbitrary basis (for example, Occupation or Veteran Status)
What Type of Housing Is Covered?
California state fair housing laws cover most housing. While the federal Fair Housing Act has additional exemptions, these do not apply in California. In California, the main exemption applies to an owner-occupied single-family home, where the owner does not rent to more than one individual, and the owner complies with FEHA's prohibition against discriminatory statements, notices, or advertisements. In addition, exemptions apply to housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members, and statements indicating a preference for same-sex roommates in shared living situations.
What Is Prohibited?
In the Sale and Rental of Housing: It is illegal to take any of the following actions based on the protected classes listed above:
Refusal to rent, sell, or negotiate for housing, or otherwise make housing unavailable
Providing different terms, conditions, privileges, or provision of services or facilities
Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
Refusal to make necessary reasonable accommodations or modifications
Statements or advertisements indicating a preference, limitation, or discrimination based upon membership in a protected class
Restricting or attempting to restrict a person's housing choices, by words or conduct, in connection with seeking, negotiating for, buying, or renting a dwelling (steering)
Persuading, for profit, an owner to sell or rent their dwelling because of the entry or prospective entry of a particular protected class into the neighborhood (blockbusting)
Denying or offering less desirable lending (discrimination) terms or conditions for residential real estate transactions (lending), or
Denying anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.
Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
Fair Housing Protections for People with Disabilities in California
If you or someone in your family:
Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, emotional or mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex and mental retardation) that limits one or more major life activities
Have a record of such a disability or are regarded as having such a disability
Your housing provider may not:
Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing. (Where reasonable, the landlord may permit changes only if you agree to restore the property to its original condition when you move.)
Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.
Example: A building with a "no pets" policy must allow a visually impaired tenant to keep a guide dog.
Example: An apartment complex that offers tenants unassigned parking must honor a request from a mobility-impaired tenant for a reserved space near her apartment if necessary to assure that she can have access to her apartment.
However, housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently uses illegal drugs.
Occupancy Policy
Sol Property Management follows the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recommended guidelines of allowing two persons per bedroom, plus one person, to lease a property. However, if there are any city or state occupancy requirements governing the property or if the property is located in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners association with more restrictive guidelines, Sol Property Management will defer to their policy and comply with their guidelines as long as they are not obviously discriminatory.
The following are also prohibited practices by the Act:
Intimidation, coercion, threats or interference with persons in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected under this Act.
Intimidation, coercion, threats or interference with persons because they have aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected under this Act.
Discrimination in any real estate related transaction.
Discrimination in the provision in multiple listing services, real estate brokers' organization or other service or in any organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings.
Discrimination against any person in the terms or conditions or access, membership or participation in any such organization, service or facility because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.
Discrimination due to handicap.
More Information about Fair Housing in California
Learn more about your rights on the following websites:
Federal Government - HUD
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
State of California
Department of Fair Employment and Housing California
Fair Housing Information
Tenant & Landlord Information