[TN] [TN] How do I handle housing discrimination?

Lexi, Chatbot

I'm sorry to hear about the discrimination your son faced. Can you provide more details about what happened?

Lexi, Chatbot

Have you already filed a complaint with any housing authorities or organizations regarding this discrimination?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured, they'll be able to help with housing discrimination.

Richard

Hello. My name is Richard and I have been a licensed attorney for over 25 years and hope to be of assistance. Please be advised that this website is for information purposes only, and I cannot formally represent customers of this website or perform actual legal services on your behalf.

I know your question is important, and I’m working on typing an answer to your question now. Sometimes responses and replies take time, and we ask you to be courteous and patient to allow the expert to type your answers to you and also to others.

Richard

What state are you in?

Richard

In Tennessee, your son may be protected under both federal and state fair housing laws, including the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and the Tennessee Human Rights Act.

These laws prohibit housing discrimination based on disability and require landlords to make reasonable accommodations when necessary for equal use and enjoyment of a dwelling. From what you’ve described, it appears the landlord may have violated these laws by:

Failing to provide reasonable accommodations after a written request was made; and creating or allowing conditions that interfered with your son’s use of the leased premises, potentially due to the construction on either side.

Here’s what you can do:

File a complaint with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development):

You can file an administrative complaint online, by phone, or by mail. HUD investigates housing discrimination claims and may facilitate settlement or initiate enforcement actions.

www.hud.gov or Phone: 1-800-669-9777

File a complaint with the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC):

They enforce Tennessee’s housing discrimination laws. This can be done instead of, or in addition to, a HUD complaint.

www.tn.gov or Phone: 1-800-251-3589

Seek compensatory damages for harm suffered:

If discrimination is found, your son may be entitled to:

• Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., medical expenses if his condition worsened)
• Emotional distress
• Possibly punitive damages
• Reasonable attorney’s fees if pursued in court

You may also consider writing a detailed written statement documenting:

• The accommodation request (date, method, and content)
• The landlord’s response or failure to respond
• The nature and impact of the construction
• How it affected your son’s health, comfort, or access to the premises

Richard

Your local bar association can give you a referral to a licensed attorney in your area.

Richard

If you have any follow up questions, please let me know.