COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the housing market becomes more active this spring, the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing encourages first-time homebuyers to become acquainted with federal and state fair housing laws.

“Fair Housing Month is a great opportunity to remind buyers that are new to the real estate process that the more you know, the easier it will be,” said REPL Superintendent Daphne Hawk.

First-time homebuyers accounted for 35% of market activity in Ohio last year, according to a study Ohio REALTORS conducted in partnership with the Division.

Ohio and federal law both prohibit discrimination in the buying, selling, or renting of real estate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Ohio law also prohibits discrimination based on ancestry or military status. Fair housing law covers discrimination in the offering, showing, selling, and renting of homes, apartments, condominiums, and cooperatives.

“While our industry has come a long way over the past five-plus decades, discrimination still happens all around us, and the most common complaints with HUD continue to be discrimination against people with disabilities,” Hawk said. “It’s rare for an Ohio real estate agent or appraiser to have a fair housing complaint. Most of the time, discrimination happens in rental housing because many landlords do not understand their obligations under the law.”

In the U.S., there were more than 31,000 complaints filed with private fair housing organizations, local and state Fair Housing Assistance Program agencies, and HUD in 2021.

The Ohio Division of Real Estate may take action against a licensee if they are found to have engaged in unlawful discriminatory practices.

Anyone who feels that he or she has been discriminated against should contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Licensees have an obligation to notify the Superintendent immediately if they were found to have violated laws pertaining to discrimination in housing and or housing accommodations.

Consumers are encouraged to refer to the Division’s consumer guide on its website for fair housing resources.