New Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-43
Prohibited activity
Operative Text
It shall be a discriminatory practice in violation of this article for the lessor or other person: (a) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, lawful source of income, disability, or familial status. (b) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or unlawful source of income. (c) To make, print, or cause to be made, printed or published, any notice, statement or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. (d) (1) To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or lawful source of income that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available; and (2) It shall be a violation of this subdivision for any person to restrict or attempt to restrict the choices of any buyer or renter to purchase or rent a dwelling: (i) To an area which is substantially populated, even if less than a majority, be persons of the same protected class as the buyer or renter; (ii) While such person is authorized to offer for sale or rent another dwelling which meets the housing criteria as expressed by the buyer or renter to such person; and (iii) Such other dwelling is in an area which is not substantially populated by persons of the same protected class as the buyer or renter. As used in this subdivision, "area" means municipality, neighborhood or other geographic subdivision which may include an apartment or condominium complex; and "protected class" means race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or lawful source of income. (e) To coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of or on account of his/her having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by G.S. section 46a-64c, as amended by Public Act No. 92-257, section 2. (f) For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representation regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or lawful source of income. (g) For any person or other entity engaging in residential real estate-related transactions to discriminate against any person in making available such a transaction, or in terms or conditions of such a transaction, because of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or lawful source of income. (h) To deny any person access to or membership or participation in any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers' organization or other service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings, or to discriminate against him/her in the terms or conditions of such access, membership or participation, on account of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, familial status, national origin, ancestry, disability, or lawful source of income. (i) To raise rents because of, or in anticipation of, any effect of this article. (j) To evict or attempt to evict any person if a motivating factor for the eviction is the occupancy or potential occupancy of a minor child or children.
New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-43 establishes a broad set of discriminatory practices that are prohibited in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. Lessors, agents, and other parties may not refuse to deal with, impose different terms on, steer, intimidate, or otherwise disadvantage any person on the basis of protected characteristics — including race, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, familial status, and lawful source of income, among others. The provision also bars blockbusting for profit, restricts steering buyers or renters toward or away from areas based on protected-class composition, and prohibits evictions motivated by the presence or anticipated presence of minor children. Rent increases made because of, or in anticipation of, this article's effects are likewise forbidden.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-43 generally ensure that all advertising, application processes, lease terms, and service offerings are applied uniformly regardless of any protected characteristic listed in the provision. Compliant operators avoid any representations — written, verbal, or in published notices — that signal a preference or limitation based on protected status, and they do not condition availability information on a prospective tenant's or buyer's background. Operators also take care that rent adjustments are grounded in legitimate business factors and that no eviction decision is motivated by the presence or anticipated presence of children in the household.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under New Haven Code of Ordinances ch. 12½, art. III § 12½-43, tenants and prospective renters have the right to be evaluated on equal terms regardless of race, religion, disability, lawful source of income, familial status, and the other characteristics enumerated in the provision. If a renter believes a landlord has refused to rent, imposed different conditions, steered them toward a particular area, or attempted to evict them because of a minor child, that conduct may constitute a discriminatory practice under this article. Affected individuals can explore filing a complaint with a local or state fair-housing enforcement body, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or contacting a tenant-rights organization for general information about available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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