State and federal laws in Oklahoma
make it illegal to deny someone housing opportunities based on their race, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, religion, or age. Everyone deserves access to safe housing, and fair housing laws help protect those rights. Unfortunately, not all housing providers play by the rules. When that’s the case, you have the option of filing a complaint at the state or federal level.
To help give you a better sense of fair housing laws in Oklahoma, Jerry
, the licensed broker
and app for home
and renters insurance
, is here with this introductory guide. Keep reading to learn who Oklahoma’s fair housing laws protect, as well as how to submit a complaint when housing discrimination occurs. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Does Oklahoma have a Fair Housing Act?
It does! Requirements of the Oklahoma Fair Housing Law are outlined in Title 25, Article 4A, Section 1451 through article 5, Section 1508 in the Oklahoma Statutes
. In combination, Oklahoma state and federal laws make it illegal to deny someone housing based on their race, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, religion, and age.
Examples of housing discrimination, when based solely on the protected classes above, would include:
Refusal to rent or sell an available property, despite an acceptable offer or application
Refusal to show a property available for sale or rent
Offering different terms and conditions for home financing
Refusal to accept a mortgage application that would be considered acceptable
Refusal to make reasonable accommodations or modifications for a tenant with a disability
If you believe you’ve experienced housing discrimination that has violated Oklahoma state law, you can file a complaint through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement (OCRE).
Accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act
One major component of making housing safe, accessible, and enjoyable for individuals with one or more disabilities is making reasonable accommodations and modifications as required under federal law
. Generally, accommodations refer to policy, rule, or service changes to accommodate a person’s disability, while modifications refer to physical or structural changes made to a dwelling. The following are just a handful of examples of reasonable accommodations and modifications:
Allowing a service animal in a building that doesn’t allow pets
Making an accessible parking space available to an individual with a disability
Allowing a person with a disability to move to a ground-floor unit
Making hallways and rooms wheelchair-accessible
Accepting rent payment on a date that’s compatible with when an individual receives income assistance
Installing an entrance/exit ramp
Installing handrails in a bathroom
A landlord can deny reasonable accommodation and modification requests under certain circumstances, like if the request would present the landlord with an “undue financial burden.” However, if your landlord refuses to meet a reasonable accommodation or modification request that you believe is legally required, you can file a complaint under the Fair Housing Act.
How to file a fair housing complaint in Oklahoma
If your fair housing rights have been violated in Oklahoma, you have several options when it comes to filing a complaint. At the state level, complaints are handled through the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement (OCRE).
Complaints must be submitted within a year of the last discriminatory incident.
Ahead of filing a complaint, you can learn more information about the process here
, and additional questions can be answered by calling 405-521-3921. OCRE complaint forms, including the one for housing discrimination, can be found here
(as well as an overview of the investigation process) and can be submitted to either OCRE office in Oklahoma or Tulsa
. You can also report applicable housing discrimination at the federal level to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) online or via phone, mail, or email. You can find contact information and an overview of the process on the HUD website
. State agency vs. local offices
You can submit a complaint related to Oklahoma state fair housing laws to either OCRE office:
| | | |
|---|
| 313 NE 21st St., Oklahoma City, OK 73105 | | ocre.complaints@oag.ok.gov |
| 15 W. 6th St., Suite 1000, Tulsa, OK 74119 | | ocre.complaints@oag.ok.gov |
How to save money on home and renters insurance in Oklahoma
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