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42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)

§3605. Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions

42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII) · 2026 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · United States

(a) In general

It shall be unlawful for any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in residential real estate-related transactions to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of such a transaction, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

(b) "Residential real estate-related transaction" defined

As used in this section, the term "residential real estate-related transaction" means any of the following:

(1) The making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance—

(A) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling; or

(B) secured by residential real estate.

(2) The selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property.

(c) Appraisal exemption

Nothing in this subchapter prohibits a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property to take into consideration factors other than race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status.

(Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, §805, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 83; Pub. L. 93–383, title VIII, §808(b)(2), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 729; Pub. L. 100–430, §6(c), Sept. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 1622.)

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▸ Contents — 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
  1. ▸ 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601–3631 — Fair Housing Act (Title VIII)
    Overview
    1. §3601. Declaration of policy
    2. §3602. Definitions
    3. §3603. Effective dates of certain prohibitions
    4. §3604. Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing and oth…
    5. §3605. Discrimination in residential real estate-related trans…
    6. §3606. Discrimination in the provision of brokerage services
    7. §3607. Religious organization or private club exemption
    8. §3608. Administration
    9. §3608a. Collection of certain data
    10. §3609. Education and conciliation; conferences and consultatio…
    11. §3610. Administrative enforcement; preliminary matters
    12. §3611. Subpoenas; giving of evidence
    13. §3612. Enforcement by Secretary
    14. §3613. Enforcement by private persons
    15. §3614. Enforcement by Attorney General
    16. §3614–1. Incentives for self-testing and self-correction

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