Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home, free from discrimination. Michigan law protects you from discrimination when renting, buying, financing, or insuring a home. If you believe your fair housing rights have been violated, or if you’re unsure, the following information and resources may help.
Under Michigan and/or federal law, it is illegal to discriminate in housing based on:
Fair housing laws protect your rights when you:
They also prohibit discrimination in:
Illegal Housing Practices:
The following examples illustrate situations that may be housing discrimination under the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. These laws protect people from being treated unfairly when renting, buying, or accessing housing because of certain personal characteristics. These examples are meant to help individuals recognize situations where fair housing rights may be violated.
A Black homebuyer attends an open house and asks the real estate agent about making an offer. The agent tells them the home is “probably not the right fit” and suggests they look at properties in a different neighborhood instead, even though the home is still available and other interested buyers are encouraged to make offers. Steering someone toward or away from certain neighborhoods because of their race may be housing discrimination.
While touring an apartment, a landlord repeatedly comments on the applicant’s darker skin tone and asks intrusive questions about their background that are unrelated to the rental application. The landlord later tells the applicant the unit is no longer available, even though it continues to be advertised. Treating someone differently because of their skin color may be housing discrimination.
A tenant asks if they can place a small religious symbol on their apartment door during a holiday. The property manager denies the request and says religious decorations are not allowed, even though other tenants are allowed to display seasonal or holiday decorations. Applying rules differently because of religion may be housing discrimination.
A tenant requests maintenance for a problem in their apartment. The maintenance worker asks the tenant to send a personal photo before agreeing to fix the issue and later suggests the repair could happen faster if the tenant goes out with them. Requesting sexual favors, photos, or personal relationships in exchange for housing services may be sexual harassment and a violation of fair housing laws.
A same-sex couple schedules a showing for a rental home. When the landlord meets them in person and realizes they are a couple, the landlord abruptly ends the showing and later tells them the property is no longer available, even though it continues to be advertised. Refusing housing because of someone’s sexual orientation may be housing discrimination.
A woman contacts a landlord about a rental unit and is told the landlord prefers male tenants because they are “easier to deal with” and that the landlord does not rent to women living alone. Refusing to rent to someone because of their sex may be housing discrimination.
A transgender tenant repeatedly reports serious maintenance issues in their apartment, including a leaking ceiling. The property manager dismisses the requests and delays repairs while addressing similar issues quickly for other tenants in the building. Providing different services or failing to maintain housing because of a tenant’s gender identity or expression may be housing discrimination.
During a rental application meeting, a landlord asks an applicant where they are from and whether English is their first language. The landlord then states they prefer to rent to people “born in this country” and refuses to continue the application process. Refusing to rent to someone because of their national origin may be housing discrimination.
A family with young children tours an apartment. The landlord tells them the building is “mostly adults” and suggests they should look for housing somewhere “better for families,” even though the unit is available. Refusing to rent to families with children or discouraging them from applying may be housing discrimination.
A tenant with a mobility disability asks for a reserved parking space close to their unit because walking long distances is difficult. The tenant provides documentation of their need for the accommodation, but the landlord refuses to consider the request. Refusing to make a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability may be housing discrimination.
Two adults apply together for an apartment. The landlord tells them they must be married to live together in the unit and refuses to rent to unmarried couples. In Michigan, denying housing because of marital status may be housing discrimination.
An older applicant applies to rent a home. The landlord says they prefer younger tenants because older renters might “need too much help” and refuses to accept the application. Refusing to rent because of a person’s age may be housing discrimination under Michigan law.
During a showing, a landlord tells a prospective tenant that they are concerned the tenant’s weight might damage the property and refuses to rent the unit to them. In Michigan, denying housing because of a person’s weight may be housing discrimination.
A renter tells the landlord they plan to use a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) to help pay the rent. The landlord immediately says they do not rent to tenants who use housing vouchers. In Michigan, refusing to rent to someone because of their lawful source of income may be housing discrimination.
Exception: Michigan law includes a limited exemption for very small landlords. If a landlord owns five or fewer rental units in total, they may not be required to accept certain sources of income such as housing vouchers. However, larger housing providers are generally required to consider applicants regardless of their lawful source of income.
If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination you can contact the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) at www.michigan.gov/mdcr/enforcement/fair-housing or call their Fair Housing hotline number at 1-800-482-3604.
You may also contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at www.hud.gov/contactus/file-complaint or call their Housing Discrimination hotline number at 1-800-669-9777.
If you live in or are applying to live in a MSHDA-affiliated housing development and you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, or applying to or are participating in a MSHDA-affiliated housing program, and you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, you may contact MSHDA-FairHousing@michigan.gov, in addition to MDCR and HUD. This mailbox is only monitored Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Michigan and federal laws require housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for people with disabilities. Examples of reasonable accommodation:
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If you believe you have been discriminated against or have questions about your rights, contact:
If you live in or are applying to live in a MSHDA-affiliated housing development and you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, or applying to or are participating in a MSHDA-affiliated housing program, and you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, you may contact MSHDA-FairHousing@michigan.gov, in addition to MDCR and HUD. This mailbox is only monitored Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
File a Complaint with MDCR
