FAIR HOUSING ATTORNEY IN MIAMI, FLORIDA

Renting or purchasing a new place of residence can be incredibly exciting. You’re embarking on a new chapter in life, and you deserve the chance to start that chapter out on a good note. However, discriminatory behavior on behalf of a real estate agent, broker, landlord, seller, or other party involved in the process can hinder your ability to secure housing and leave you unsure of where to turn. If you have suffered discrimination, in your pursuit of housing due to your disability, you have options. I’m here to help.

Under both local and Florida state law and the Fair Housing Act, you are entitled to the opportunity to rent housing or purchase a home regardless of your race, sex, nationality, or disability. A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which can include caring for one’s self, walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, learning, and working.

When your rights are not upheld, let me help you take the necessary actions to hold the discriminatory parties accountable for their behavior. Reach out to my firm, J. Courtney Cunningham PLLC, in Miami, Florida to discuss your case. I proudly serve individuals in the surrounding areas of Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

What Does Discrimination Look Like?

While discriminatory actions can be obvious, like a landlord refusing to rent to you because of you’re a protected characteristic, more often than not, discrimination is carried out through subtle actions. For example, if a landlord suggests an apartment that would be a “better fit” for you, their actions may be discriminatory. Here are some more examples of discrimination that you may encounter when trying to rent or purchase housing:

• You are told there are no pets allowed when you have a service animal.

• A landlord tells you one thing on the phone but changes the previous terms, pricing, or availability upon seeing you in person.

• A landlord refuses to provide you necessary parking accommodations.

• A landlord refuses to accept a voucher, like Section 8, to pay your rent.

• A landlord falsely denies that housing is available for rent or sale.

• A landlord provides your family with substandard housing conditions compared to tenants without children.

• You are told you are unable to make physical changes to your unit to accommodate your disability.

• The landlord tells you that kids are not welcome in the community.

These are all situations in which your rights have been infringed upon. If you have experienced any of these scenarios, or you feel as though you’ve been a victim of disability discrimination when trying to secure housing, reach out to me today.

What To Do If You’ve Been Discriminated Against

The most important thing to remember after facing discrimination is that you can—and should—take action. You do not have to accept discrimination, and working with a legal professional can help you take the necessary steps to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. Here’s how you can help your case:

• Keep a record of the housing discrimination: write notes detailing who was involved and exactly what happened.

• Hold on to any paperwork, e-mails, receipts, and text messages that show proof of the discriminatory actions.

You have one year from the date of the alleged discrimination to file a complaint with either the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or a local agency like the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

You have two years from the date of the alleged discrimination to file a civil suit.

To learn more about your options, contact J. Courtney Cunningham Attorney at Law today.

Why Trust Me to Handle Your Disability Discrimination Case?

Not only do I have the professional experience to skillfully represent you, but I have a personal connection to disability discrimination that allows me to understand your perspective. As a father to a child with autism, I am no stranger to advocating for fair treatment. I am truly passionate about ensuring your rights are upheld and fighting for justice when those rights have been infringed upon. My track record of success, in-depth knowledge of the law, and extensive experience speak for themselves, but what truly sets me apart is my dedication to my clients.

If you’ve been discriminated against because of disability, race or other protected characteristic, while trying to secure housing in the state of Florida, reach out to me today in Miami, Florida to start fighting back. I proudly serve the needs of those in Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.