about · fair housing
Fair housing is how we work.
We serve every buyer, seller, landlord and renter on equal terms. Federal and California law set the rules, and this page explains how they shape what we do and say about homes and neighborhoods, and where to go if something goes wrong.
the law
Who fair housing law protects
It is illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental or financing of housing, or in advertising it, because of any of the characteristics below. California protects more characteristics than federal law, and real estate agents and home sellers must follow both.
Federal Fair Housing Act
as listed by hud
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (opens in a new tab)
California law
as listed by the civil rights department
- Race
- Color
- Ancestry
- National origin
- Citizenship
- Immigration status
- Primary language
- Religion
- Disability (mental or physical)
- Sex and gender
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Genetic information
- Marital status
- Familial status (families with children under 18 or people who are pregnant)
- Source of income (including government rental assistance such as a Section 8 Housing Choice voucher)
- Military or veteran status
- Age
Source: California Civil Rights Department (opens in a new tab). California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act cover these.
Lists checked against both agencies’ websites on October 29, 2026. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
how we work
What this means when you work with us
Fair housing shapes every search, showing, listing and conversation. In practice:
- We show you every home that fits what you ask for: your price, size, features and the places you choose. We don’t steer anyone toward or away from a neighborhood.
- We describe homes and areas by facts about the property: prices, lot sizes, home ages and styles, zoning, and distances to parks, transit and job centers.
- We don’t describe a neighborhood by who lives there, and we don’t call one area safer, or better for any kind of household, than another. For crime information, we point you to the local police or sheriff’s department.
- Schools: each district sets school assignment. We share district boundary maps, and we always say to check the address with the district. School district guides
- Listing ads describe the home, never the buyer we imagine for it.
- If a seller or landlord asks us to treat anyone differently because of a protected characteristic, we decline.
if something goes wrong
How to file a housing discrimination complaint
If you believe you were treated unfairly by us or anyone else in a housing transaction, please tell Eric and Janelle directly. You can also go straight to either agency below. Both say to file within one year of the last act of discrimination.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
federal · fair housing and equal opportunity
Call 1-800-669-9777 to talk with an intake specialist. TTY users can call through the 711 relay service.
Report housing discrimination at hud.gov (opens in a new tab)
California Civil Rights Department
state · housing complaints
Call 800-884-1684, or California Relay Service at 711. Email contact.center@calcivilrights.ca.gov.
accessibility
Need help using this site?
If any part of this website is hard to use with your device or assistive technology, call or email us and we’ll get you the information another way.
talk to a property nerd
Questions about fair housing? Ask us.
Eric and Janelle are glad to talk through how fair housing rules apply to your sale, purchase or rental.
eric boyenga dre 01254725 · janelle boyenga dre 01254724 · compass · equal housing opportunity