Prohibitions In the Sale & Rental of Housing

Summary

The following information is a summary of prohibitions under the Louisiana Open Housing Act (La. R.S 51:2601, et seq.).

In the sale and rental of housing, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap:

• Deny anyone access to, or membership in a facility or service (such as: a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing
• Deny a dwelling
• Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)
• Make housing unavailable
• Provide different housing services or facilities
• Refusal to negotiate for housing
• Refusal to rent or sell housing
• Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

Mortgage Lending

In mortgage lending, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap:

• Discrimination in appraising property
• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan
• Refusal to make a mortgage loan
• Refusal to provide information regarding loans
• Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

Advertising Properties

It is also illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right. Advertising or making a statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap is illegal. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Open Housing Act.