Fair Housing Laws in the USA and Pennsylvania
Protecting Residential and Commercial Tenants
In Pennsylvania, the commitment to fair and equitable access extends beyond residential properties—commercial tenants are also protected from discrimination under state law.
🏛️ Federal Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in housing based on:
Race
Color
Religion
National Origin
Sex
Disability
Familial Status
🌟 Pennsylvania’s Enhanced Protections
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) goes further than federal law by:
- Adding age and ancestry as protected classes
- Extending protections to commercial tenants
- Covering virtually all real estate transactions
⚖️ Commercial Tenant Rights in PA
Pennsylvania is unusual in protecting business tenants from discrimination. This means:
Landlords cannot refuse to lease based on protected characteristics
Different terms or rates based on protected classes are illegal
Discriminatory advertising for commercial space is prohibited
📞 Filing a Complaint
If you believe you’ve experienced housing discrimination in Pennsylvania:
1
File with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) within 180 days
2
You may also file with HUD within one year for federal violations
3
Consider consulting with an attorney specializing in fair housing law
