YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

Your RIghts

If you or someone you know feels that your rights have been violated in a housing-related transaction in Oklahoma, there are laws which enforce your right to fair and equal housing opportunity.

If you are a public or private housing provider or a member of the housing industry, you need to know how to be in compliance with federal and state laws to promote equal housing opportunities.

The Metropolitan Fair Housing Council of Oklahoma, Inc (MFHC) is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Private Enforcement Initiatives Program to assist Oklahomans who feel they have their housing rights violated. The cities of Midwest City, Norman, Edmond, Moore, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma also fund MFHC under their Community Development Block Grant Programs to “affirmatively further fair housing” for their residents.

The following information will help inform you about your rights and remedies under federal and state fair housing and landlord tenant laws.

Federal Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders

Fair Housing Act

The Federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Amended in 1988) prohibits discrimination in the rental, sales, financing, appraisal, insurance of housing and other housing-related transactions based on the following categories or “protected classes” including 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 the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

Fair Housing - It's Your Right

This publication is an overview of the Fair Housing Act, your rights and remedies under the law if your or someone you know feel that you are a victim of housing discrimination.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Section 109 of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974

Section 109 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or religion in programs and activities receiving financial assistance from HUD’s Community Development and Block Grant Program.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Title II prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs, services, and activities provided or made available by public entities. HUD enforces Title II when it relates to state and local public housing, housing assistance and housing referrals.

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968

The Architectural Barriers Act requires that buildings and facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with certain federal funds after September 1969 must be accessible to and useable by handicapped persons.

Age Discrimination Act of 1975

The Age Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

State of Oklahoma Real Estate Commission Publications for Contracts, Disclosures and Acts

Oklahoma Fair Housing Law

The Oklahoma Fair Housing Law (Title 25, article 4A, Section 1451 through article 5, Section 1508) prohibits discrimination in the rental, sales, financing, appraisal, insurance of housing and other housing-related transactions based on the following categories or “protected classes” including 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 the age of 18), and handicap (disability). The Oklahoma Fair Housing Law also has “Age” as a “protected class”. The Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General is the state agency empowered to enforce the Oklahoma Fair Housing Law through it’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement. To file a complaint under the state fair housing law, call (405) 521-2029, send an email to orec.help@orec.ok.gov or download a housing discrimination complaint form at www.orec.ok.gov.

Oklahoma Residential/Non-Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

The Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT 41 O.S. 2001, Sections 101-136, as amended through November 1, 2006) is the state law which governs residential properties and designates the rights, duties and enforcement remedies for tenants and landlords in Oklahoma.

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