Malta — Ch. 30 Human Relations § 30-45
Blockbusting
Operative Text
It is a civil rights violation for any person to: (1) Solicitation. Solicit for sale, lease, listing or purchase any residential real estate within this state, on the grounds of loss of value due to the present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, familial status or handicap. (2) Statements. Distribute or cause to be distributed, written material or statements designed to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease his property because of any present or prospective changes in the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, familial status or handicap of residents in the vicinity of the property involved. (3) Creating alarm. Intentionally create alarm, among residents of any community, by transmitting communications in any manner, including a telephone call whether or not conversation thereby ensues, with a design to induce any owner of residential real estate in this state to sell or lease his property because of any present or prospective entry into the vicinity of the property involved of any person of any particular race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, familial status or handicap. State Law reference-- Similar provisions, 775 ILCS 5/3-103.
Malta Ch. 30 § 30-45 prohibits a practice commonly known as 'blockbusting,' which occurs when someone tries to manipulate property owners into selling or leasing by suggesting that the arrival of people of a particular race, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or disability will harm property values or change the character of a neighborhood. The rule covers three distinct tactics: targeted solicitations, distribution of written materials designed to stoke fear, and intentional communications—including phone calls—meant to create alarm among residents. Any of these actions constitutes a civil rights violation under this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Malta should be aware that § 30-45 applies to anyone involved in real estate transactions, including agents acting on their behalf. Compliant operators avoid any solicitation, written material, or communication that links the desirability of a property or neighborhood to the demographic characteristics of current or prospective residents. Reviewing marketing practices and third-party solicitation agreements to ensure they contain no language referencing protected characteristics in connection with property values is a standard part of fair-housing compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Malta Ch. 30 § 30-45, residents have a right to be free from manipulative communications—whether in person, in writing, or by phone—that attempt to pressure them into selling or leasing based on who is moving into their neighborhood. If a person believes they have received a blockbusting solicitation or alarming communication that violates this section, they may document the contact and explore options such as filing a civil rights complaint with the appropriate local or state authority. Tenant-rights organizations and fair-housing councils can help residents understand what remedies may be available under this provision.
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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