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Crime, law & justice

File a complaint about housing or property discrimination

Philadelphia law protects an individual’s basic right to fair and equal treatment by landlords and other providers of housing and property.

It also prohibits discrimination by providers of housing and property-related services, such as banks, insurance agents, and real estate brokers.

Examples of housing or property discrimination include:

  • A landlord rejecting an application for tenancy based on the prospective tenant’s race or religion.
  • A bank offering less favorable interest rates to someone based on their source of income.
  • A physical barrier or other issue making property inaccessible to people with disabilities.
  • A landlord rejecting an application for tenancy without providing the applicant with a statement that lists the reasons for the denial.

If you believe that you’ve experienced housing or property discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

How to make a complaint

1
Review the list of protected categories.

The law defines specific categories that are protected from housing or property discrimination. While discrimination based on other factors may be unfair or unethical, it’s not currently illegal.

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Submit your complaint in person or by mail.

You must submit your complaint to:

Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
The Curtis Center
601 Walnut St., Suite 300 South
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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PCHR staff will review your intake form and meet with you about filing a complaint.

Protected categories

Age

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Ancestry

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Color

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Disability

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Domestic or sexual violence victim status

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Ethnicity

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Familial status

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Gender identity

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Marital status

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National origin

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Race

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Religion

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Retaliation

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Sex

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Sexual orientation

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Source of income

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