Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 95 § 95-3
Discrimination in sale or rental
Operative Text
Except as exempted by § 95-6 , it shall be unlawful within the City of Rensselaer: 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, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. 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, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. C. To make, print or publish, 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, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. D. To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available. E. For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Section 95-3 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances ch. 95 makes it unlawful within the City of Rensselaer to refuse to sell or rent a dwelling, discriminate in terms or conditions, publish discriminatory notices, misrepresent availability, or engage in blockbusting based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The rule covers the full arc of a housing transaction—from initial negotiation and advertising through the ongoing terms of occupancy. Certain exemptions exist under § 95-6, which narrows the scope of these prohibitions in specific circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 95-3 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances ch. 95, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, documented criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, and communicating availability across all applicants regardless of protected characteristics. Advertising and listing language is reviewed to ensure it contains no stated or implied preferences based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Operators also avoid any conduct that could constitute blockbusting—that is, using representations about neighborhood demographic change to pressure owners into selling or renting.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 95-3 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances ch. 95 establishes that tenants and prospective tenants have the right to be free from discrimination in the refusal to rent, in lease terms and conditions, in advertising, and in representations about availability based on protected characteristics. If a tenant believes a landlord has violated this provision, general enforcement paths may include filing a complaint with a local or state civil rights agency, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or contacting a tenant-rights organization for guidance. Exemptions under § 95-6 may affect whether a particular situation falls within the rule's coverage, so understanding the full ordinance is a useful starting point.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation