Under the Arkansas
Fair Housing Act, it’s illegal for a person to be denied housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin. In 1968, the federal Fair Housing Act was passed to protect renters and homebuyers from discriminatory practices that made it difficult to buy, rent, or finance a home. The act has been amended several times, including in 2021 when sexual orientation and gender were added as protected categories.
The Fair Housing Act protects individuals in every state—however, each state has its own process to file a complaint for housing discrimination. That’s why home
and car insurance
super app Jerry
is here to help. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about Arkansas’ Fair Housing Act and how it intersects with the federal law. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Does Arkansas have a Fair Housing Act?
You bet! A detailed account of Arkansas’ Fair Housing Act can be found in Title 16, Chapter 123, Subchapter 3
of the Arkansas Statutes. If you’re interested in buying, renting, or financing a home, it’s a good idea to know your rights in the state of Arkansas. Here are practices that are illegal for landlords, real estate agents, bankers, brokers, and developers per the act:
Refusal to rent or sell a dwelling to an individual following a bona fide offer
Refusal to negotiate the sale or rental of a dwelling with an individual
State that a dwelling is unavailable for inspection, sale, or rental when in fact it is
Print or publish advertisements favoring the sale or rental of a dwelling to certain groups over others
Refusal to provide a mortgage application
Refusal to accommodate those with a disability
Make stipulations on a rental agreement, housing contract, or loan based on who the applicant is
If you feel that any of the above violations have happened to you based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or national origin, you can file a complaint
with the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Note that you must file the complaint no later than one year after the alleged discriminatory act occurred.
Accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act
Accessibility requirements for fair housing in Arkansas can be found in section 16-123-314
of the Arkansas Statutes. The following accommodations must be made for any person with a disability who occupies or will occupy a certain premise: Make sure common and public use portions of dwelling are accessible to those with a disability
Design doors to allow passage into and within all premises by someone in a wheelchair
Install accessible light switches, electrical outlets and other environmental controls, and reinforcements in bathrooms (such as grab bars)
Modify kitchens and bathrooms to be wheelchair accessible and useable
If your landlord refuses to make reasonable modifications/accommodations to your living space or you believe your home doesn’t meet the above legal accessibility requirements, you can file a complaint with the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission.
How to file a fair housing complaint in Arkansas
If you believe you’ve faced housing discrimination based on your race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or religion, you have the right to file a fair housing complaint.
Below we outline how to file a claim with the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, as well as things to keep in mind when navigating this process:
Contact the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission
no later than one year after the alleged discriminatory practice occurred File a complaint in writing and send it to the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission
Fill out a complaint form and return it to the Commission office
You are able to reasonably amend your complaint at any time. Once you file a complaint, the director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission will notify you of the following:
The complaint has been received
Advise you of time limits and choice of forums under section 16-123-317
Notify each respondent of the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advise them on obligations required under 16-123-317
Send you and any respondents a copy of the original complaint
State agency vs. local offices
In most cases, reporting discrimination and filing a claim with the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission is the best way to deal with housing discrimination.
However, many of Arkansas’ counties and cities have local agencies in place to address instances of discrimination and any ensuing disputes. Below is a list of agencies throughout the Natural State:
How to save money on home and renters insurance in Arkansas
Whether you’re interested in moving to Little Rock, Fayetteville
, or somewhere else in the Natural State, you have the right to fair housing. And once you settle on the perfect place for you and your loved ones, Jerry
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