24 C.F.R. § 100.50
§ 100.50 Real estate practices prohibited. (24 CFR Part 100)
Operative Text
(a) This subpart provides the Department's interpretation of conduct that is unlawful housing discrimination under section 804 and section 806 of the Fair Housing Act. In general the prohibited actions are set forth under sections of this subpart which are most applicable to the discriminatory conduct described. However, an action illustrated in one section can constitute a violation under sections in the subpart. For example, the conduct described in § 100.60(b)(3) and (4) would constitute a violation of § 100.65(a) as well as § 100.60(a). (b) It shall be unlawful to: (1) Refuse to sell or rent a dwelling after a bona fide offer has been made, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of a dwelling because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin, or to discriminate in the sale or rental of a dwelling because of handicap. (2) Discriminate in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with sales or rentals, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (3) Engage in any conduct relating to the provision of housing which otherwise makes unavailable or denies dwellings to persons because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (4) 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 because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. (5) Represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin that a dwelling is not available for sale or rental when such dwelling is in fact available. (6) Engage in blockbusting practices in connection with the sale or rental of dwellings because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (7) Deny access to or membership or participation in, or to discriminate against any person in his or her access to or membership or participation in, any multiple-listing service, real estate brokers' association, or other service organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting a dwelling or in the terms or conditions or membership or participation, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. (c) The application of the Fair Housing Act with respect to persons with handicaps is discussed in subpart D of this part.
Under 24 CFR Part 100 § 100.50, federal fair housing law prohibits a broad range of discriminatory conduct in the sale and rental of housing based on protected characteristics including race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and handicap. The rule covers everything from outright refusals to deal, to discriminatory advertising, to misrepresenting a unit's availability, to blocking access to real estate industry organizations. Importantly, a single act can violate multiple provisions within this subpart simultaneously, meaning the categories of prohibited conduct are overlapping rather than mutually exclusive.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in compliance with 24 CFR Part 100 § 100.50 generally apply consistent, documented criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, and communicating availability — criteria that do not vary based on any protected characteristic. Compliant operators also review all advertising and listing language to ensure nothing signals a preference for or against any protected group, and they maintain equal access to any real estate services or associations they participate in. Because a single action can trigger violations under multiple sections of this subpart, operators typically audit their practices holistically rather than treating each prohibited category in isolation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
24 CFR Part 100 § 100.50 establishes that tenants and prospective buyers have federal protections against a wide range of discriminatory housing practices, including being told a unit is unavailable when it is not, receiving different lease terms based on a protected characteristic, or encountering discriminatory advertising. If you believe a housing provider has engaged in conduct prohibited by this provision, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), contacting a local fair housing organization, or consulting a tenant-rights group familiar with federal fair housing law. Because violations under one section of this subpart can also constitute violations under other sections, documenting the full pattern of conduct you experienced may be relevant when pursuing any of these avenues.
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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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