Fair housing

Fair housing

Last updated October 26, 2026

Equal Housing Opportunity #

East Dallas Rentals is committed to equal housing opportunity. Homes on this site must be offered to people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. We also do not discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income, as the City of Dallas fair housing ordinance provides. These rules apply to us and to every owner and property manager who lists a home here.

Every applicant for a home gets the same information, the same criteria, and the same chance. Each home's page shows its written tenant selection criteria, and they apply to everyone who applies for that home. See how criteria work.

What the law protects #

Three sets of fair housing laws apply to homes for rent in Dallas.

The federal Fair Housing Act #

The federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 and following) makes it illegal to refuse to rent, to set different terms, or to publish an ad that shows a preference, because of:

• race
• color
• religion
• sex
• national origin
• familial status
• disability (the law uses the word "handicap")

"Familial status" means having a child under 18 living with you, as a parent, a legal custodian, or someone with the custodian's written permission. It also covers people who are pregnant and people who are getting legal custody of a child.

The Texas Fair Housing Act #

The Texas Fair Housing Act is Chapter 301 of the Texas Property Code. It protects the same seven groups: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. Section 301.022 also bars any notice, statement, or ad that shows a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on these groups.

The Dallas Fair Housing Ordinance #

The City of Dallas has its own fair housing law in Chapter 20A of the Dallas City Code. It covers race, color, sex, religion, handicap (disability), familial status, national origin, and source of income.

• Sex in Chapter 20A includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Source of income means lawful, regular, and verifiable income from any source, such as wages, child support, spousal maintenance, or housing subsidies. State law limits this part: Texas Local Government Code section 250.007 bars cities from making landlords accept federal housing assistance, except assistance for military veterans. So whether a home accepts Housing Choice Vouchers is set for each home, and the home's page says so. Chapter 20A still covers veterans' housing assistance, such as HUD-VASH, and rental help from non-federal programs, as limited by section 250.007, and every home on this site counts them as income. The site's default criteria count all lawful, verifiable income, including Housing Choice Vouchers.

What this means on our site #

• We describe homes and places, not the people who live near them.
• Our neighborhood guides cover parks, buildings, transit, and history. They do not say who a place is "for."
• Listing words, photos, and site features may not show a preference for or against any protected group. We may remove a listing that does.
• We answer every message sent to us the same way, in the order we receive it.
• If you would like information in another language, email us and we will do our best to help.

Reasonable accommodations and modifications #

If you or someone who lives with you has a disability, fair housing laws give you the right to ask for:

• A reasonable accommodation. This is a change to a rule, policy, practice, or service. Examples include an assistance animal in a home that does not allow pets, a reserved parking spot, or getting documents in large print.
• A reasonable modification. This is a physical change to the home, such as a grab bar or a ramp. Under these laws, the renter usually pays for a modification. For a rental, a landlord may ask, where reasonable, that the inside of the home be returned to its earlier condition when you move out, apart from normal wear and tear.

To ask about a home, tell its owner or manager on the home's page, or email [email protected] and we will help you reach them. You can ask at any time: before you apply, during the application, or while you live in the home. You do not need special words or forms. What you tell us about a disability is kept private, as our privacy policy explains.

How to report housing discrimination #

If you believe you faced housing discrimination, you can report it to any of the agencies below. You do not need to contact us first. Reporting is free.

Deadlines matter. Under federal law, Texas law, and the Dallas ordinance, a complaint to these agencies generally must be filed within one year of the discrimination. Under federal and Texas law, you may also have the right to file a lawsuit within two years. Report as soon as you can.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) #

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity enforces the federal Fair Housing Act.

• Online: hud.gov/reporthousingdiscrimination
• Phone: 1-800-669-9777
• Regional office for Texas: Fort Worth Regional Office of FHEO, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 307 W. 7th Street, Suite 1000, Fort Worth, TX 76102. Phone: (817) 978-5900.
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 711 to reach HUD through a relay service.

City of Dallas Fair Housing Division #

The City of Dallas Fair Housing Division handles housing discrimination complaints within Dallas city limits. It works jointly with HUD.

• Address: 1500 Marilla St., Room 1B South, Dallas, TX 75201
• Phone: (214) 670-FAIR (3247)
• TTY: (214) 670-6936
• Fax: (214) 670-0665
• Online: Report a fair housing incident

Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division #

The Texas Workforce Commission enforces the Texas Fair Housing Act.

• Online: TWC housing discrimination page
• Phone: 800-628-5115 (TWC main office)
• Mail: Texas Workforce Commission, Civil Rights Division, Attn: Intake Investigator, 101 15th Street, Room 144-T, Austin, TX 78701

Note for Dallas homes: TWC's housing complaint form says it cannot take complaints about property inside the City of Dallas. For a home in Dallas city limits, contact the City of Dallas Fair Housing Division or HUD.

Free help and more to read #

• Fair Housing Division, City of Dallas
• Housing discrimination, TexasLawHelp.org
• Fair housing rights and obligations, HUD

Questions about our policy #

Email [email protected]. If you think we, or an owner or manager on this site, got something wrong, please tell us. You also always have the right to go straight to the agencies above. We will never treat anyone differently for asking for an accommodation, making a complaint, or helping someone else do so.