Litchfield — Title IX Ch. 97 Fair Housing § 97.02
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. Decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters mean housing which is in sound, clean, and weather-tight condition in conformance with applicable local, state, and national codes. Discriminate or discrimination means any difference expressed in any way toward a person or persons in the terms of the sale, exchange, lease, rental or financing for housing accommodation and/or real property in regard to such sale, exchange, rental, lease or finance because of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability of such person. Financial institution means any person, institution or business entity of any kind which loans money to persons and receives as security for said loans a secured interest of any kind in the property of the borrower. Housing accommodation includes any building, structure, or portion thereof which is used or occupied, maintained, arranged or designed to be used or occupied as a home, residence or sleeping place of 1 or more human beings, or any real estate so used, designed or intended for such use. Owner means any person/persons who hold legal or equitable title to, or own any beneficial interest in, any real property or who hold legal or equitable title to shares of, or hold any beneficial interest in, any real estate cooperative which owns any real property and/or housing accommodations. Real estate broker means any person, partnership, association, corporation and/or agent thereof who for a fee or other valuable consideration offers, sells, purchases, exchanges or rents, or negotiates for the sale, purchase, exchange or rental of a housing accommodation and/or real property of another or collects rental for the use of housing accommodation and/or real property of another. Real property means any real estate, vacant land, building, structure or housing accommodations within the corporate limits of the city.
Section 97.02 of Litchfield's Fair Housing chapter establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 97. It defines key terms such as 'discrimination,' 'housing accommodation,' 'owner,' 'real estate broker,' 'financial institution,' and 'real property,' clarifying that discrimination covers differences in treatment based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability. The definitions also set a baseline standard for what qualifies as 'decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters,' tying that standard to applicable local, state, and national codes. These definitions govern how all other provisions in the chapter are interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 97.02 of Litchfield Title IX Ch. 97, anyone who holds legal or equitable title to, or a beneficial interest in, real property or housing accommodations qualifies as an 'owner' subject to the chapter's fair housing requirements. Compliant operators ensure that their housing accommodations — broadly defined to include any building, structure, or portion thereof used as a residence or sleeping place — meet the 'decent, sanitary, healthful standard living quarters' threshold by maintaining properties in sound, clean, and weather-tight condition in line with applicable codes. Operators also ensure that their agents, including any real estate brokers acting on their behalf, do not engage in differential treatment on the basis of the protected characteristics enumerated in § 97.02.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 97.02 of Litchfield's Fair Housing chapter defines 'discrimination' broadly to include any difference in treatment in the sale, rental, lease, or financing of housing based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, creed, or disability — meaning these protections can apply at multiple stages of securing housing. Tenants should be aware that 'housing accommodation' under § 97.02 is defined expansively, covering a wide range of residential structures, which may affect whether a particular dwelling falls under the chapter's protections. Those who believe they have experienced differential treatment in connection with renting or leasing a housing accommodation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or local fair housing agency to understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under Chapter 97.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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