1 Del. Admin. Code § 602 § 1.0
Definitions
Operative Text
1.1 The following terms used in these regulations shall have the same definition as defined in the Delaware Fair Housing Act, Section 4602: Age Aggrieved persons Chairperson Commission Complainant Conciliation Conciliation Agreement Court Covered Multifamily Dwellings Discriminatory Housing Practice Division Dwelling Familial Status Family Housing For Older Persons Marital Status Panel Panel Chair Person Residential Real Estate - Related Transaction Respondent To Rent To Sell or sale Special Administration Fund 1.2 As used in these Rules and Regulations, the following terms are defined: “Act” means The Delaware Fair Housing Act as amended from time to time, 6 Del.C., Ch. 46. “Charging Party” means the same as "Complainant" (including in some instances the Commission). “Commissioner” means a person duly serving as a member of the Commission. “Creed” means any system of beliefs guiding or directing a person's behavior and actions including, but not limited to, an organized religion, sect, or philosophical society. “Direct Threat” means an individualized assessment that is based on reliable objective evidence (e.g., current conduct, or a recent history of overt acts). The assessment must consider: (1) the nature, duration, and severity of the risk of injury; (2) the probability that injury will actually occur; and (3) whether there are any reasonable accommodations that will eliminate the direct threat. In evaluating a recent history of overt acts, a provider must take into account whether the individual has received intervening treatment or medication that has eliminated the direct threat (i.e., a significant risk of substantial harm). In such a situation, the provider may request that the individual document how the circumstances have changed so that he no longer poses a direct threat. A provider may also obtain satisfactory assurances that the individual will not pose a direct threat during the tenancy. “Director” means the administrator and head of the Division of Human Relations or person duly authorized to act as such. “Major Life Activity” means those activities that are of central importance to daily life, such as seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, learning, and speaking. This list of major life activities is not exhaustive. “Minor” means a person under the age of eighteen years who has not been court emancipated. “National Origin” means the native country of an individual or his ancestor(s). “Office” means any one of the places of business of the Division of Human Relations. “Party” means the Complainant(s) or Respondent(s). “Physical or Mental Impairment” includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection, mental retardation, emotional illness, drug addiction (other than addiction caused by current, illegal use of a controlled substance) and alcoholism. “Reasonable Accommodation” means a change, exception, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces. Since rules, policies, practices, and services may have a different effect on persons with disabilities than on other persons, treating persons with disabilities exactly the same as others will sometimes deny them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. The Act makes it unlawful to refuse to make reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. To show that a requested accommodation may be necessary, there must be an identifiable relationship, or nexus, between the requested accommodation and the individual's disability. “Religion” means a particular system of faith and worship recognized and practiced by a particular church, sect or denomination or other group of people. “Request for Reasonable Accommodation” means whenever a resident or applicant for housing makes clear to the housing provider that a request is being made for an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service because of a disability. The request should include the type of accommodation that is being requested and, the need for the accommodation if the need for the accommodation is not readily apparent or not known to the provider, and an explanation of the relationship between the requested accommodation and the disability. The request need not be made in a particular manner or at a particular time or use any special words including but not limited to "reasonable accommodation." The request must be made in a manner that a reasonable person would understand to be a request for an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice, or service because of a disability. Housing providers must give appropriate consideration to reasonable accommodation requests even if the requester makes the request orally or does not use the provider's preferred forms or procedures for making such requests. “Sex” means the basis of being male or female. “Substantially Limits” means that the limitation is "significant" or "to a large degree." “Verified” means that the person signing the complaint or answer has sworn or affirmed that the statements of facts in the document are true.
Section 1.0 of 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 establishes the shared vocabulary that governs all of Delaware's fair housing regulations. It incorporates definitions already set out in the Delaware Fair Housing Act (6 Del.C., Ch. 46) and adds further terms—such as "Direct Threat," "Reasonable Accommodation," "Physical or Mental Impairment," and "Creed"—that shape how complaints, investigations, and proceedings are interpreted. These definitions determine which people, properties, and practices fall within the scope of the rules, and they apply uniformly throughout the regulations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Delaware's fair housing framework should be familiar with the definitions established in 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 § 1.0, because those definitions set the boundaries of protected classes and key concepts like "Reasonable Accommodation" and "Direct Threat." A compliant operator generally applies these definitions consistently when evaluating rental applications, responding to accommodation requests, and documenting decisions. Understanding terms such as "Familial Status," "Creed," and "Physical or Mental Impairment" as defined here helps ensure that policies and practices align with the Act's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 § 1.0, tenants benefit from a defined set of terms that clarify who is protected and what conduct is covered by Delaware's fair housing rules. For example, the definition of "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" makes clear that such a request does not need to follow a specific form, use particular words, or be submitted in writing—a housing provider must give it appropriate consideration regardless. Tenants who believe a housing provider has misapplied these definitions may explore options such as filing a complaint with the Division of Human Relations or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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