Disclosure of Information on Housing & Anti-Discrimination

New York State Disclosure of Information on Housing and Anti-Discrimination in the Sale or Rental of Real Property

The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital status, disability, familial status, lawful source of income, or status as a victim of domestic violence. The Human Rights Law also generally prohibits discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status.

The Human Rights Law applies to the sale, rental, lease, or sub-lease of any housing accommodation, land, or commercial space, as well as to the provision of services, financing, and access relating to such accommodations. The Human Rights Law applies to most housing accommodations, including private housing, public housing, and housing operated by religious and charitable organizations.

Real estate brokers and real estate salespersons, and their employees and agents, also have a legal obligation to treat all individuals equally and fairly, and without regard to any protected characteristic or class. Real estate professionals must not engage in unlawful discriminatory practices in the rental, sale, or advertising of housing accommodations, and are required to disclose this Notice to prospective clients and customers.

Prohibited Conduct by Real Estate Professionals

Real estate professionals are prohibited from discriminating in the rental, sale, or advertising of housing, including but not limited to:

• Refusing to sell, rent, lease, or otherwise deny or withhold a housing accommodation from any person because of membership in a protected class.
• Discriminating in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental of housing because of membership in a protected class.
• Printing, circulating, posting, or publishing — or causing to be printed, circulated, posted, or published — any advertisement expressing any preference, limitation, specification, or discrimination based on membership in a protected class.
• Representing to any person that a housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, or rental, when such accommodation is in fact available.
• Inducing or attempting to induce the sale or rental of a housing accommodation by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of persons of a particular protected class ("blockbusting" or "panic peddling").
• Engaging in "steering" — guiding, channeling, or directing prospective buyers or renters toward or away from particular neighborhoods, areas, or buildings on the basis of membership in a protected class.

If You Believe You Have Experienced Housing Discrimination

You have the right to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights ("DHR"). Complaints may be filed within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.

• Toll-free hotline: 1 (888) 392-3644
• Website: dhr.ny.gov
• File a housing discrimination complaint: dhr.ny.gov

You may also file a complaint with the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, regarding the conduct of a licensed real estate professional.

• Department of State, Division of Licensing Services — Complaints: dos.ny.gov/file-complaint
• Additional fair-housing resources: dos.ny.gov/fair-housing

You also have the right to file a fair-housing complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, at 1 (800) 669-9777 or hud.gov/fairhousing.

New York State Department of State · Division of Licensing Services