Fair Housing

Fair Housing is Your Right


The City of Rio Rancho is dedicated to affirmatively furthering fair housing by making the public aware of their fair housing rights. Our goal is to provide citizens with an understanding of what “fair housing” is, what fair housing rights are protected under the law, types of illegal discriminatory actions, and how to file a Fair Housing Complaint.
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the federal Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex/gender, or national origin. The 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act expanded coverage to prohibit discrimination based on mental or physical disability or familial status. The Fair Housing Act covers most housing, with certain exceptions.
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In New Mexico, additional protected classes identified under the New Mexico Human Rights Act of 1978 include: Ancestry, Sexual Orientation/Preference, Gender Identity, and Spousal Affiliation (married or not married).

Under the Fair Housing Act, it is Against the Law to:


  • Refuse to sell or rent you housing
  • Tell you housing is unavailable for inspection, sale or rental when, in fact, it is available
  • Show you apartments or homes only in certain neighborhoods
  • Offer different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
  • Provide different housing services or facilities
  • Advertise housing to preferred groups of people only
  • Refuse to provide you with information regarding mortgage loans, deny you a mortgage loan, or impose different terms or conditions on a mortgage loan
  • Deny you property insurance
  • Conduct property appraisals in a discriminatory manner
  • Refuse to make reasonable accommodations for persons with a disability if the accommodation may be necessary to afford such person a reasonable and equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling
  • In some instances, and under certain circumstances, it may be considered illegal when a builder ‘fails to design and construct in an accessible manner’
  • Harass, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising or assisting someone else with his/her fair housing rights.