Protected Classes Under Louisiana Fair Housing Laws Explained

All renters in Louisiana are protected under federal and state fair housing laws. Understanding these rights can help you recognize discrimination and know what to do if it happens. This article explains what classes are officially protected in Louisiana, how these laws help renters, and the practical steps you can take if you believe your rights have been violated.

What Are Protected Classes in Louisiana?

Protected classes are personal characteristics that cannot legally be used as reasons to deny you housing, raise your rent unfairly, or treat you differently as a renter. Both federal and Louisiana state law provide broad protections.

Federal Protected Classes

Under the federal Fair Housing Act, it is illegal for landlords to discriminate against you based on:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation as clarified by HUD)
• Familial status (having children under 18, pregnancy, or seeking custody of children)
• Disability

Louisiana enforces these protections through its own state laws.

Protected Classes Under Louisiana Fair Housing Laws

In addition to enforcing all federal protections, Louisiana fair housing law (La. R.S. § 51:2601 et seq.) makes it unlawful for landlords or property managers to discriminate against tenants or applicants based on:

• Race or color
• Religion
• Sex
• National origin
• Disability
• Familial status

While Louisiana state law does not explicitly add extra categories beyond federal requirements, local city or parish (county) ordinances sometimes protect more characteristics, so check your area’s website for details.

Examples of Housing Discrimination

If you are part of any protected class above, you are entitled to equal treatment. Examples of illegal discrimination include:

• A landlord refusing to rent to you because of your race or national origin
• Setting stricter rules or higher rent only for families with children
• Denying reasonable accommodations to someone with a disability
• Harassing or treating you differently based on religion or sex

If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination, you have the right to file a complaint and seek help.

How to File a Housing Discrimination Complaint in Louisiana

If you suspect discrimination, act quickly. You can submit a complaint to the appropriate agency for investigation and potential enforcement.

• Louisiana Department of Justice, Public Protection Division: Handles most fair housing discrimination complaints in Louisiana. See their official Fair Housing page.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): If you prefer, HUD accepts complaints online, by mail, or by phone. View the HUD Fair Housing Complaint Portal.

Official Forms for Reporting Discrimination

• Louisiana Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint Form
  Name/Number: No designated number; available through the Louisiana Attorney General's website.
  When/How to Use: Use this form if you believe your landlord has discriminated against you on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. Complete the form (you can call 1-800-273-5718 for help) and submit it by email, mail, or fax. For example, if your rental application was denied because you have children, you can use this form to report it.
• HUD Form 903 (Housing Discrimination Complaint)
  Name/Number: HUD Form 903
  When/How to Use: If you wish to submit your complaint directly to HUD, use Form 903. You may file it online, or print and mail it to the address listed on the form. For example, if a landlord refuses to rent to you because of your disability, submit this form to HUD.

Who Handles Tenant Disputes in Louisiana?

Most housing discrimination disputes in Louisiana are handled by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, specifically its Public Protection Division. For landlord-tenant disputes about evictions or security deposits, you may also contact the Louisiana Housing Corporation.

What Laws Protect Louisiana Renters?

Louisiana’s main law is the Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act (La. R.S. § 51:2601 et seq.). This statute adopts federal fair housing protections for renters and applicants. You may also want to review Louisiana’s basic landlord-tenant law (La. Civ. Code Art. 2668 et seq.) for broader tenant rights and landlord obligations.

FAQs for Louisiana Renters

1. What characteristics are protected under Louisiana fair housing laws?
   Renters are protected from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.
2. Can my landlord treat me differently because I have children?
   No. Familial status is a protected class. Landlords cannot refuse to rent or set different rules because you have children.
3. How do I file a fair housing complaint in Louisiana?
   You can file through the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office or HUD by completing the proper forms and submitting your complaint online, by mail, or phone.
4. What should I do if I need a disability accommodation?
   Request the accommodation in writing from your landlord. If denied, consider filing a complaint with the Attorney General’s office or HUD.
5. Is sexual orientation a protected class in Louisiana rentals?
   While the state law does not explicitly list sexual orientation, federal protections enforced by HUD cover sexual orientation and gender identity under "sex."

Key Takeaways for Louisiana Renters

• Fair housing laws protect renters from discrimination based on specific personal characteristics.
• Louisiana follows federal fair housing guidelines and investigates complaints through the Attorney General’s office.
• If you experience discrimination, promptly file a complaint using official forms and keep records.

Knowing your rights can help you recognize and address unfair treatment in housing.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Louisiana Attorney General’s Fair Housing Page – File complaints or get information
• HUD Fair Housing Complaint Process
• Louisiana Housing Corporation
• LawHelp Louisiana – Free legal aid and self-help resources for housing

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1. Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act (La. R.S. § 51:2601 et seq.)
2. Federal Fair Housing Act
3. Louisiana Housing Protections – LHC
4. Louisiana Attorney General – Public Protection Division
5. File a Housing Discrimination Complaint with HUD
6. Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2668 et seq. (Landlord-Tenant Law)

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