Fair Housing
Consumer Guide for Older Virginians
Virginia law prohibits discrimination on the basis of "elderliness," which is defined as age 55 and older for purposes of fair housing. Because our state includes older Virginians as a protected class, its provisions are even broader than the federal fair housing law.
The Virginia Fair Housing Office (VFHO) operates under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. VFHO investigates complaints of housing discrimination, tries to resolve complaints fairly through voluntary conciliation, and offers free training and outreach to educate consumers and housing providers.
Your Right to Non-Discriminatory Treatment
It is illegal for housing providers - property managers, owners, landlords, real estate agents, banks, savings institutions, credit unions, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, and appraisers – to treat you differently because of elderliness.
If you are 55 or older, you may file a complaint with VFHO if a housing provider:
- Refuses to rent, sell, or deal with you;
- Discriminates in the conditions or terms of sale, rental, occupancy, or facilities;
- Advertises in a discriminatory way;
- Falsely denies you housing availability; or
- Discriminates in financing or in broker's services.
The law also offers protection against discrimination based on disability. For older Virginians who are disabled as well, in most instances housing providers must allow reasonable modifications (i.e., grab bars, wider doorways) and accommodations (handicapped parking spaces, for example).
To learn more about the Virginia Fair Housing Office, visit their Virginia Fair Housing Office web page by clicking here.
If you are a victim of housing discrimination call the DPOR Hotline for Older Virginians at (804) 367-2178
Copyright © 2000 Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
This web page was last updated: 08/24/2007 11:03:39 AM