The Fair Housing Act requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions in their policies and operations to afford people with challenges equal housing opportunities. For example a landlord with a "no pets" policy may be required to grant an exception to this rule and allow an individual who is blind to keep a guide dog in the residence. The Fair Housing Act also requires landlords to allow tenants with challenges  to make reasonable access-related modifications to their private living space, as well as to common use spaces. (The landlord is not required to pay for the changes.) The Act further requires that new multifamily housing with four or more units be designed and built to allow access for persons with challenges to maneuver, and other adaptable features within the units.

Complaints of Fair Housing Act violations may be filed With the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information or to file a complaint, contact:

Office of Program Compliance and Disability Rights
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street. SW (Room 5242)
Washington, D.C. 20140

Additionally, the Department of Justice can file cases involving a pattern or practice of discrimination. The Fair Housing Act may also be enforced through private lawsuits.