Fair Housing

The Metro Housing Division does not investigate fair housing complaints or landlord-tenant disputes and does not provide legal advice. The following is for informational purposes only.

What is Fair Housing

The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, including discrimination against individuals seeking mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities on the basis of a protected characteristic/class (listed in the table below). A variety of other federal civil rights laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the American with Disabilities Act, prohibit discrimination in housing and community development programs and activities, particularly those with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more information on the Fair Housing Act, visit Fair Housing: Rights and Obligations | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In addition to the Fair Housing Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) and Tennessee Disability Act prohibits discrimination related to employment, housing, and public accommodations. To learn more, go to Human Rights Commission (tn.gov).

Protected classes under the Fair Housing Act:

Race
Color
National Origin
Religion
Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
Familial Status
Disability
Creed (Protected class under Tennessee state law)

Common Fair Housing Issues:

Reasonable accommodations
Steering
Language Access
Family Size
Higher Rates/Fees
Gender Identity Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Unfair Denials
Redlining

Metro Nashville Housing Division Policies

All recipients of Metro Nashville’s Housing Division programs must abide by the Fair Housing Act. Grantees are further required to provide an affirmative marketing plan. Affirmative marketing requires organizations to target outreach and market housing opportunities to demographics least likely to apply. The plan must include details on how that organization will do outreach to diverse community groups and special populations and requires applicants to notify residents of the Fair Housing rights.

Fair Housing Resources

If you believe that you have experienced housing discrimination, you can file a complaint with:

Tennessee Fair Housing Council
Tennessee Human Rights Commission: File a Discrimination Complaint - Tennessee Human Rights Commission (tn.gov)
HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO): File a Complaint – Main Page | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Fair Housing Events

Throughout the year and during Fair Housing Month in April, community partners host events to increase awareness about Fair Housing. Information on relevant events will be posted as details become available.

Fair Housing Matters Conference

Join the Tennessee Fair Housing Council for the 2024 Fair Housing Matters Conference April 12, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Central Time. This conference will be a free webinar hosted on Zoom featuring Sasha Samberg-Champion, the Deputy General Counsel for Fair Housing and Enforcement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as the keynote speaker.

You can learn more about the 2024 Fair Housing Matters Conference below:

2024 Fair Housing Matters Conference Flyer

Tenant Rights

Landlords and renters in Davidson County are subject to the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act (URTLA). The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands offers information on the rights and duties of a renter: Renters and Home Owners - Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and The Cumberlands (las.org).

If you are at-risk of being or have been evicted, please contact:

Legal Aid: 1-800-238-1443 or 615-244-6610 or
Conexión Américas Eviction Right to Counsel Program: 615-270-9252

Property Standards

All buildings (residential and non-residential) in Davidson County are required to be in good general condition (both interior and exterior) and must be maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. If your landlord has failed to meet these standards, you can report code violations to the Property Standards Division of the Metro Codes Department:

Online through hubNashville or
Call the Codes Hotline at 615-862-6590.

Related Tags

Planning Department

Housing Division (Planning)

Planning Department Contact Information

Address
Metro Office Building
800 President Ronald Reagan Way
2nd Floor, Metro Planning Department
Nashville, TN 37210

Mailing Address

Planning Department (Mailing Address)
P.O. Box 196300
Sonny West Conference Center
Nashville, TN 37219-6300

Email

[email protected]

Phone

615-862-7190