Renting: Tenants & Landlords · Fair housing
Housing discrimination and retaliation
In this guide
- California’s fair housing law protects many characteristics, including source of income such as housing vouchers.
- Tenants with disabilities can ask for reasonable accommodations and modifications.
- The Civil Rights Department takes housing complaints, generally within one year.
Protected characteristics
California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, and other characteristics. “Source of income” includes federal, state, and local housing assistance such as Section 8 vouchers.
Reasonable accommodations
People with disabilities can ask a housing provider to change a rule or practice (an accommodation) or allow a physical change to the unit (a modification) when needed for equal use of the housing.
Retaliation
California law prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for lawfully complaining about conditions, organizing, or exercising legal rights. Retaliation can include raising rent, reducing services, or seeking an eviction. When those actions follow within 180 days of a protected complaint, the law presumes retaliation in some situations.
Time frames
- Civil Rights Department housing complaint: generally within 1 year of the last act of discrimination
- Retaliation presumption window: 180 days after certain tenant actions (Civil Code § 1942.5)
Official sources for this guide
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