The goal of the 1968 Fair Housing Act is to allow all people to choose where they want to live, free of the roadblocks of discrimination. The Civil Rights movement's push for equality helped put this law in place. As times change, the Act evolves, and as recently as 2021, protected classes also include gender identity and sexual orientation.

The Fair Housing Act applies to all 50 states. In Utah, a landlord cannot deny housing based on race, religion, sex, familial status, source of income, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more.

As some states have recognized the need for additional protection for their citizens, the process of filing a complaint will differ based on where you live.

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Does Utah have a Fair Housing Act?

Yes! You can find Utah’s Fair Housing Act under

Title 57 Chapter 21-1

of the Utah state code. This act breaks down who is covered, who is exempt, and what defines discrimination in the housing market. In Utah, it is illegal to do any of the following based on a group or person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, source of income, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity:

Refusing to sell, rent, negotiate or make a unit unavailable after receiving a bona fide offer

Publishing or advertising, written or verbally, a preference for one group of people over another

Barring a protected class from residing in a particular neighborhood

Denying housing to someone due to their disability, appearance of disability, or the disability of someone associated with them

Refusing to make reasonable accommodations or reasonable modifications to a residence to aide someone with a disability

Section 57-21-3 of the Utah code notes exemptions for these rules for private individuals, non-profit organizations, non-commercial transactions, and religious organizations. If you feel that your rights were violated while you were looking for a new home, you can file a complaint with the

Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division

(UTLD).

Accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act

In addition to the 1968 Fair Housing Act, the

1991 Fair Housing Act

extends specific protections for people with disabilities. This federal statute allows for reasonable accommodations and reasonable modification requests so that people with disabilities can have full use and enjoyment of their units. While they sound the same, they are indeed very different.

Individuals with a disability or someone on their behalf can request a reasonable accommodation to specific policies or rules. Common accommodation requests are:

Allowing a tenant with mobility limitations to move to a ground floor unit mid-lease term

Adjusting rent due dates to line up with when a resident receives their government assistance

Allowing a seeing-eye dog at a location where pets are usually not allowed

A reasonable modification request is a physical change that allows the tenant to move freely within their home. For example, some changes can include: the relocation of light switches, adding grab bars in shower stalls, or changing the heights of kitchen counters to allow for wheelchair access.

We all deserve to live in a safe and comfortable environment. If your request for a reasonable modification or accommodation was unfairly denied, file a discrimination complaint with the

UALD

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How to file a fair housing complaint in Utah

While it would be great to say that discrimination doesn’t occur anymore, the reality is that it still occurs everyday.

Fair housing complaints in Utah are filed through the UALD or the U.S. Department of Housing (HUD). After completing the

Intake Questionnaire

, complaints can be filed by email, fax, or mail. UALD will respond to complaints filed within 180 days. Any claims filed over 180 days need to be filed with HUD by using

this form

After the claim is filed, you will be given a date for a Resolutions Conference within 10 days. Aside from your personal information, here is additional information you will need to provide:

Name and address of the person your complaint is against

Contact information for another person who can reach you

The address of the property involved

A short description of the incident

The date(s) of the violation

Here's how to file a complaint with Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division:

Fill out the following form:

Intake Questionnaire

Mail to: Utah Antidiscrimination & Labor Division

160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor

PO Box 146630

Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6630

Fax: 801-530-7609

Email: fh@utah.gov

Here's how to file a complaint with HUD:

Fill out the following form:

PDF complaint form

Mail to: ROCKY MOUNTAINS OFFICE

Fair Housing Hub U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development

1670 Broadway

Denver, CO 80202-4801

Fax (303) 672-5026

E-mail: Complaints_office_08@hud.gov

State agency vs. local offices

While all fair housing complaints are filed with UALD, you can also reach out to a local agency for additional assistance:

City	Agency
Ogden	Ogden Utah Community Development
Salt Lake	Salt Lake County Housing and Community Development
Salt Lake	Disability Law Center
Salt Lake	Utah Housing Coalition

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