United Tenants of Albany is proud to serve as an Emerging Fair Housing Office, working to ensure that tenants and homebuyers understand and exercise their fair housing rights. The information below outlines the protections guaranteed under federal and New York State law, the responsibilities of housing providers, and the steps you can take if you experience housing discrimination.
Protected Characteristics
Federal Law Protects Against Discrimination Based On:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- Disability
- Family Status
- National Origin
New York State Law Expands Protections To Include:
- Age
- Marital Status
- Military Status
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
- Source of Income
Prohibited Actions
- Refusing to sell or rent housing based on any of the protected characteristics
- Applying different terms or conditions in a sale or rental
- Advertising with language that expresses a preference, limitation, or discrimination
- Coercing, threatening, or interfering with anyone exercising their housing rights
- Retaliating against someone or a group advocating for fair housing
Who Is Prohibited from Discriminating?
- Owners and landlords
- Property managers and managing companies
- Co-op boards and condominium associations
- Tenants subletting units
- Real estate brokers and salespersons
- Employees or agents of any of the above
Protected Sources of Income
You cannot be discriminated against based on how you legally pay for housing. Protected income includes:
- Child support
- Alimony or spousal maintenance
- Foster care subsidies
- Social Security income
- Federal, state, or local public assistance
- Housing assistance (e.g., Section 8 vouchers)
- Any other lawful source of income
What To Do If You Face Discrimination
Federal Recourse:
- File a complaint through the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
- Or contact HUD’s Office of General Counsel
State Recourse:
- Contact the Albany Regional Office of the NYS Division of Human Rights 518-474-2705.
Local Recourse:
- Contact UTA at 518-646-0629
- Contact the City of Albany Fair Housing Office at 518-807-1998
Reasonable Accommodations for Tenants with Disabilities
Tenants who meet the legal definition of a disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations.
To request an accommodation:
- Submit the request in writing to the landlord
- State that you have a disability
- Explain how the accommodation will help you better access and enjoy your home
- Include a note from a doctor, therapist, or service provider verifying the need
⚠️ Important Note: Tenants do not need to disclose specific diagnoses or medical histories.
If the requested accommodation is considered unreasonable, the landlord must:
- Explain why it is being denied, and
- Offer a reasonable alternative, if available
- Landlords may require the tenant to pay for the cost of physical modifications
- In some cases, landlords may also require tenants to place funds in escrow to restore the unit to its original condition when moving out
Emotional Support Animals
Even if a lease prohibits pets, a tenant with a qualifying disability can keep an emotional support animal.
- A letter from a licensed therapist or physician is typically sufficient
⚠️ Important Note: If you believe you’re being discriminated against, contact United Tenants of Albany (UTA) for support and guidance.