Effingham — Ch. 17 Art. VI Fair Housing § 17-155
Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to refuse to sell or rent, or to otherwise make unavailable, any dwelling to any person on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap.
Section 17-155 of Effingham's Fair Housing ordinance prohibits anyone involved in the sale or rental of housing from refusing to sell or rent a dwelling—or from making a dwelling otherwise unavailable—based on a person's race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. The rule applies broadly to housing transactions and is designed to ensure equal access to housing regardless of these protected characteristics. It does not create exceptions for private sellers or small landlords within its scope.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Effingham Ch. 17 Art. VI § 17-155, property owners and managers are generally expected to apply consistent, documented criteria when evaluating prospective buyers or tenants, ensuring that decisions are based on neutral, non-discriminatory factors such as income, credit history, or rental history. Compliant operators typically maintain records of their screening processes and avoid any policies or practices—whether written or informal—that could result in differential treatment based on race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. Training staff who interact with applicants on fair housing requirements is a common practice among operators seeking to remain in compliance with provisions like § 17-155.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 17-155 of Effingham's Fair Housing ordinance gives individuals the right not to be refused housing or have housing made unavailable to them on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, or physical or mental handicap. If a person believes they have been denied housing in violation of § 17-155, general enforcement paths may include filing a complaint with a local or state fair housing agency, contacting a tenant-rights or fair housing organization for guidance, or exploring whether a complaint under federal fair housing law is also applicable. Keeping records of communications with landlords or sellers—such as emails, application responses, or notes from conversations—is commonly recommended as a general practice when a fair housing concern arises.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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