24 C.F.R. § 100.135
§ 100.135 Unlawful practices in the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. (24 CFR Part 100)
Operative Text
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in the selling, brokering or appraising of residential real property to discriminate against any person in making available such services, or in the performance of such services, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term appraisal means an estimate or opinion of the value of a specified residential real property made in a business context in connection with the sale, rental, financing or refinancing of a dwelling or in connection with any activity that otherwise affects the availability of a residential real estate-related transaction, whether the appraisal is oral or written, or transmitted formally or informally. The appraisal includes all written comments and other documents submitted as support for the estimate or opinion of value. (c) Nothing in this section prohibits a person engaged in the business of making or furnishing appraisals of residential real property from taking into consideration factors other than race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (d) Practices which are unlawful under this section include, but are not limited to: (1) Using an appraisal of residential real property in connection with the sale, rental, or financing of any dwelling where the person knows or reasonably should know that the appraisal improperly takes into consideration race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (2) Conditioning the terms of an appraisal of residential real property in connection with the sale, rental, or financing of a dwelling on a person's response to harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Under § 100.135, professionals who sell, broker, or appraise residential real estate are prohibited from treating people differently based on protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. The rule covers appraisals broadly—including oral estimates, written reports, and supporting documents prepared in a business context. Appraisers may still weigh legitimate, non-discriminatory factors in forming a value opinion, but knowingly using a biased appraisal or tying appraisal terms to a person's response to harassment are specifically called out as violations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who engage brokers or appraisers should be aware that § 100.135 holds those professionals—and anyone who knowingly relies on a tainted appraisal—accountable under federal fair housing law. A compliant operator generally reviews appraisals for red flags suggesting that protected characteristics influenced the valuation, and declines to use any appraisal that appears to reflect such bias. Keeping records of how appraisals were selected and applied supports a clear compliance posture.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 100.135 gives individuals the right to receive selling, brokerage, and appraisal services free from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. If you believe an appraisal or brokerage service was influenced by one of these characteristics, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or a state fair housing agency, or raise the violation in a legal proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and fair housing councils can help you understand what documentation may be relevant to a potential claim.
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 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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