Ohio Source of Income Discrimination Laws: What Renters Need to Know

Are you worried your rental application might be denied because your income comes from non-traditional sources like housing vouchers, Social Security, or child support? In Ohio, understanding whether source of income discrimination is prohibited is key for renters seeking fair housing opportunities. Read on for a plain-language guide to Ohio's current protections, how to recognize discrimination, and what steps you can take for support.

What Is Source of Income Discrimination?

Source of income discrimination happens when a landlord refuses to rent to you, or treats you differently, simply because of how you pay your rent. Common examples include:

• Refusing applicants who pay with federal Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Not accepting Social Security, disability, alimony, or child support as income

This type of discrimination can make it hard for many Ohioans—especially families, the elderly, and people with disabilities—to find stable housing.

Does Ohio Ban Source of Income Discrimination?

Currently, Ohio state law does not specifically prohibit source of income discrimination for renters. That means, at the statewide level, landlords are not required to accept all legal sources of income like housing vouchers for rental payments.

However, some cities in Ohio have local laws banning this form of discrimination. For example, Columbus and Toledo recently passed fair housing ordinances that protect renters using non-wage income, including vouchers. If you live outside these cities, your protections may differ.

Where Can I Find the Law?

• Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 – Landlords and Tenants
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): The Federal Fair Housing Act

Neither Ohio’s landlord-tenant act nor federal fair housing laws require landlords to consider all sources of income, unless linked to another protected class (like race, disability, or family status) or covered by local ordinances in your city.^{[1](#footnotes)}

Recognizing and Addressing Discrimination in Ohio

While statewide protection does not exist, landlords still cannot discriminate based on protected classes under state and federal fair housing laws. These include:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Familial status

If a landlord refuses your application because of your source of income and this action appears related to one of these protected classes, you may file a complaint.

How to Report Housing Discrimination in Ohio

Ohio renters can file fair housing complaints with:

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Fair Housing Complaint
• Ohio Civil Rights Commission: Housing Discrimination Complaint

The official state body for residential tenancy disputes is the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC).

Relevant Forms for Ohio Renters

• HUD Form 903 Online Complaint: Used for reporting suspected housing discrimination to HUD. File online at HUD’s official portal.
  Example: If you believe a landlord rejected your Section 8 rental application because you use a voucher and this is tied to another protected status, complete this form.
• Ohio Civil Rights Commission Housing Discrimination Form: Submit online or print the form found on the OCRC website.
  Example: If you live in an Ohio city with local protections and face discrimination, use this form to file with the state commission.

Practical Action Steps for Renters

• Check if your city (e.g., Columbus, Toledo) has local ordinances protecting source of income.
• If you face denial due to your income type, ask the landlord (in writing) for their policy about non-wage income and city rules.
• Keep all records—emails, advertisements, application responses.
• If discrimination involves a protected class or a locally-covered source of income, gather your evidence and file a formal complaint.

Summary: While Ohio law doesn’t ban source of income discrimination statewide, some local governments do. Protections against discrimination based on other factors remain strong.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it legal for Ohio landlords to refuse Section 8 vouchers?
   Yes, in most of Ohio a landlord can legally refuse to accept voucher payments, unless a local city ordinance (like in Columbus or Toledo) bans source of income discrimination.
2. What can I do if I believe I’ve been unfairly denied housing in Ohio?
   Document the incident, check local laws, and file a fair housing complaint with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission or HUD if it concerns a protected class or local ordinance.
3. Which Ohio agency handles fair housing complaints?
   The Ohio Civil Rights Commission is the main agency for handling these complaints. HUD also offers resources and accepts complaints directly.
4. If my city bans source of income discrimination, how do I prove my case?
   Gather documents (emails, rejection messages), note any statements about your income source, and contact your city’s fair housing office in addition to submitting state and federal complaints as needed.
5. Are landlords allowed to check my income type even in cities with protections?
   Yes, they can verify your ability to pay rent but can’t reject you solely because of a legal income source if your city bans discrimination against it.

Key Takeaways for Ohio Renters

• Ohio does not ban source of income discrimination statewide, but some cities do.
• All renters have protection from discrimination based on race, disability, and other major categories under federal and state law.
• If you believe you’re experiencing discrimination, act quickly by collecting evidence and contacting the right agencies.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC): Main state agency for fair housing complaints and questions.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Fair Housing Hub
• Columbus/Franklin County Fair Housing Resources: For renters in Columbus with local protections.
• Toledo Fair Housing Center: Support for Toledo area renters.
• Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321)

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1. ^[1] See Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law and Federal Fair Housing Act.

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