Prohibitions Under the Louisiana Open Housing Act

Prohibitions In the Sale & Rental of Housing

Summary

The following information is a summary of prohibitions under the Louisiana Open Housing Act (La. R.S 51:2601, et seq.).

In the sale and rental of housing, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap:

  • Deny anyone access to, or membership in a facility or service (such as: a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing

  • Deny a dwelling

  • Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental

  • For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting)

  • Make housing unavailable

  • Provide different housing services or facilities

  • Refusal to negotiate for housing

  • Refusal to rent or sell housing

  • Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling

Mortgage Lending

In mortgage lending, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap:

  • Discrimination in appraising property

  • Impose different terms or conditions on a loan

  • Refusal to make a mortgage loan

  • Refusal to provide information regarding loans

  • Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan

Advertising Properties

It is also illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate, or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right. Advertising or making a statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap is illegal. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Open Housing Act.