12 C.F.R. § 1002.4
§ 1002.4 General rules. (12 CFR Part 1002)
Operative Text
(a) Discrimination. A creditor shall not discriminate against an applicant on a prohibited basis regarding any aspect of a credit transaction. (b) Discouragement. A creditor shall not make any oral or written statement, in advertising or otherwise, directed at applicants or prospective applicants that the creditor knows or should know would cause a reasonable person to believe that the creditor would deny, or would grant on less favorable terms, a credit application by the applicant or prospective applicant because of the applicant or prospective applicant's prohibited basis characteristic(s). For purposes of this paragraph (b), oral or written statements are spoken or written words, or visual images such as symbols, photographs, or videos. (c) Written applications. A creditor shall take written applications for the dwelling-related types of credit covered by § 1002.13(a). (d) Form of disclosures—(1) General rule. A creditor that provides in writing any disclosures or information required by this part must provide the disclosures in a clear and conspicuous manner and, except for the disclosures required by §§ 1002.5 and 1002.13, in a form the applicant may retain. (2) Disclosures in electronic form. The disclosures required by this part that are required to be given in writing may be provided to the applicant in electronic form, subject to compliance with the consumer consent and other applicable provisions of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-Sign Act) (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.). Where the disclosures under §§ 1002.5(b)(1), 1002.5(b)(2), 1002.5(d)(1), 1002.5(d)(2), 1002.13, and 1002.14(a)(2) accompany an application accessed by the applicant in electronic form, these disclosures may be provided to the applicant in electronic form on or with the application form, without regard to the consumer consent or other provisions of the E-Sign Act. (e) Foreign-language disclosures. Disclosures may be made in languages other than English, provided they are available in English upon request.
Under 12 CFR Part 1002 § 1002.4, lenders are prohibited from discriminating against credit applicants based on protected characteristics and from making statements—whether in ads, symbols, images, or other communications—that would lead a reasonable person to believe an application would be denied or approved on worse terms because of those characteristics. For dwelling-related credit, lenders must accept written applications and provide required disclosures in a clear, retainable format. Those disclosures can be delivered electronically under the E-Sign Act's framework, and may be offered in languages other than English as long as an English version is available on request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who extend dwelling-related credit—such as financing arrangements covered under § 1002.4—generally ensure that all advertising, signage, and communications are reviewed to avoid language or imagery that could signal bias against any protected class. Compliant operators maintain written application processes for covered credit types and provide required disclosures in a clear, conspicuous, and retainable format, whether on paper or in a properly consented electronic form. When serving applicants who speak languages other than English, operators typically make foreign-language materials available while keeping English versions on hand to provide upon request.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 1002.4, applicants for dwelling-related credit have the right to be free from discriminatory treatment and from communications—including visual imagery like photos or symbols—that would discourage a reasonable person from applying based on a protected characteristic. If you believe a lender's statements, advertising, or practices violated these protections, you may raise the issue as a defense in a credit dispute, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or a relevant fair lending agency, or reach out to a tenant-rights or fair housing organization for general guidance. Disclosures you receive under this provision should be in a form you can keep, and you may request an English-language version of any materials provided in another language.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.