The Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General's Office is responsible for enforcing Arizona’s Fair Housing Act, as well as educating our community about the importance of fair housing and the requirements of our civil rights laws.
The goal of the Fair Housing Act, enacted as part of the 1968 Civil Rights Act, is to eliminate discrimination. Arizona law protects your right to have a place to live and makes it unlawful for any person to discriminate in connection with housing because of an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Whether you are renting, buying, or financing a home, understanding your rights under the FHA can help you defend against discriminatory practices.
¿Ha sido víctima de discriminación de vivienda?
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Housing Discrimination
The following categories are protected:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Sex
- Religion/Creed
- Physical/Mental disability
- Retaliation
- Familial status (children under age 18)
Examples of Housing Discrimination:
- Refusing to show, rent or sell
- Refusing to negotiate
- Charging more to buy, rent or asking for a larger security deposit
- Advising that the property is no longer for sale or rent when it really is
- Advertising that they want a certain type of person to buy or rent
- Denying access or use of the facility or service that is normally available with occupancy
- Telling owners or renters to move because the neighborhood is being integrated
- Suggesting you move to an area where you don’t want to live
- Allowing unlawful bias to affect the appraisal of a property
- Refusing to allow disability accommodations for an assistive aide, assistive animal, parking or physical modifications
Time Limits to File with the Civil Rights Division
How to Protect Yourself from Housing Discrimination
Read through the paperwork
- Read through all paperwork related to your housing. If you do not understand something, ask questions.
- Keep a record of your questions and the answers you received.
Save Important Documents:
- Any documents you submitted or signed, including your lease agreement and any addenda.
- Your rental application, confirmation of receipt, and any denials (with written reasons).
- Copies of all policies and notices.
- Rules and Regulations and CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions).
- Documentation of any eviction proceedings, incident reports, or police reports.
- Copies of any printed, online, or social media advertisements about the property.
Keep Copies of Communications:
- All communication between you and the owner of the property, management, maintenance staff, including emails, texts, voicemails, app or portal entries, work order requests, and phone records.
- All communication between you, your housing provider, and any organization that provides rental assistance.
- Screenshots of text messages, photos, and video/audio recordings related to your rental.
- Copies of complaints sent to management, the housing provider, or government agencies.
- Copies of any requests you made for a reasonable accommodation or modification, any records you provided, and the housing provider’s response.
Track Financial Transactions:
- Copies of your payments, confirmations, SSDI/SSI/VA letters, and receipts for any items paid for that weren't covered by the housing provider.
- Copies of any HOA fines and confirmation of payments.
Document Property Condition:
- Take photos and/or videos of the property’s condition on your first and last day.
- Write down any problems with the apartment or house upon move in and keep a record that you have provided it to the owner or management.
Get Written Proof:
- Get all promises in writing and keep written records of all key interactions.
Use a Buddy System:
- Have a friend or other person with you when speaking with the owner, management, or agent – especially if you are meeting in person.
Create a Timeline:
- Document and organize events as they happen to keep a clear timeline of interactions and issues.
Have you been the victim of Housing Discrimination?
If you believe you’re the victim of housing discrimination, click below to file a civil rights complaint with our office.
¿Ha sido víctima de discriminación de vivienda?
Downloadable Tools
Housing Discrimination Web Assets - English.zip
Housing Discrimination Web Assets - Español.zip
Housing Discrimination Flyers - English.pdf
Housing Discrimination Flyers - Español.pdf
Civil Rights Pamphlet - English
Folleto de Derechos Civiles - Español
Other Resources for Fair Housing Education and Training
| Arizona Department of Housing 1110 W. Washington St. #280 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 771-1000 housing.az.gov | Disability Rights Arizona 5025 E. Washington St. #202 Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 274-6287 [email protected] disabilityrightsaz.org |
| Arizona Fair Housing Center 237 W. Main St. #204 Mesa, AZ 85201 (602) 548-1599 [email protected] www.azfhc.org | Arizona Multihousing Association 1415 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 296-6200 azmultihousing.org |
| Arizona Department of Real Estate 100 N 15th Ave #201 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 771-7700 www.azre.gov | City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department 251 W. Washington St., 15th Fl. Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 262-7716 [email protected] www.phoenix.gov/eod |
| Department of Housing and Urban Development 2800 N. Central Avenue #700 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 379-7100 www.hud.gov |