Fair Housing Information for Home Buyers

Home buyers in King County are protected from discriminatory lending and other discriminatory practices in the home buying process.

It is illegal under Fair Housing laws for real estate agents, mortgage brokers, sellers, lenders, homeowner associations or other industry professionals to take actions or make decisions based on a person's "protected class". Protected classes include a person's: race, skin color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, parental or familial status and marital status. All persons have one or more class attributes. Discriminatory treatment may occur if you are treated differently than another prospective homebuyer because of one or more of your class attributes.

Prohibited discriminatory actions include:

• Using different criteria to approve a loan than the criteria used to approve the loans of other persons with a similar economic profile because of race, nationality, disability, or other "protected class" attribute
  
• Refusing to sell or negotiate a property due to protected class status or falsely denying that housing is available to a person due to protected class
  
• Steering of households to particular neighborhoods due to protected class status by lenders or real estate agents

Additional Protection for Persons with a Disability

In addition to protection from discrimination, home buyers with a disability are also entitled to reasonable modifications and reasonable accommodations, if necessary to allow them to purchase or to use and enjoy the housing.

Eligible home owners may apply for financial assistance for modifications to a new home through the King County Housing and Community Development Program's Home Accessibility Service.

In addition, persons with a disability have a right to reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services of the housing if needed by the person with disabilities to use the housing. Accommodations may be requested of lenders, real estate agents, condo associations, owners, etc.

Predatory Lending

Predatory lending practices are a set of abusive and deceptive lending practices that greatly inflate the cost of borrowing to inappropriate levels. Home buyers should be wary of predatory lenders and brokers when they are looking for a home loan. Predatory lenders will take advantage of anyone, but have been known to target persons of color and seniors.

When you are buying a home it is important to shop and compare several lenders to make sure you are getting the best interest rate for your credit profile and the lowest costs and fees. For more information and tips about avoiding predatory lending, visit the website of the Seattle-King County Coalition for Responsible Lending.

Local Fair Housing Laws

Residents of King County who live within the unincorporated areas of King County and the City of Seattle have protection from local fair housing ordinances in addition to state and federal fair housing laws.

King County's Fair Housing Ordinance has added protection for discrimination based on age, sexual orientation and possession of a Section 8 housing voucher. The City of Seattle has these same three additional protected classes plus protection for discrimination based on ancestry, gender identity, and political ideology.

Fair Housing Enforcement Offices

Home buyers who believe that they may have been the victim of discrimination in the lending or home buying process can make a complaint with a fair housing enforcement agency or may seek the assistance of an attorney. Home buyers may also contact a fair housing enforcement agency to ask questions about fair housing protection.

All tenants in Washington State can make complaints to HUD's Fair Housing Office  or the Washington State Human Rights Commission.

If you live in an unincorporated part of King County, you may make a complaint to the King County Office of Civil Rights.  They can also help you figure out whether you are within their jurisdiction if you are not sure.

If you live in Seattle, you may make a complaint to the City of Seattle Office for Civil Rights.