Delaware fair housing laws include protections for people who are (or who are perceived to be) straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered. Under Delaware’s Fair Housing laws, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

If you are denied an opportunity to buy, rent, finance or insure a home or apartment—or given false information about housing—because of your sexual orientation or your gender identity, you are a victim of illegal housing discrimination. It is also illegal for landlords or other housing providers to treat current tenants and residents or their guests unfavorably because of the individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Click here to read the statement by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and their families.

Examples & Warning Signs of Discrimination:

• A landlord refuses to rent to an individual or couple because of the couple’s sexual orientation, or an individual’s gender identity, or gender expression.
• Treating same-sex couples who are married or in a domestic partnership differently from heterosexual married couples.
• A landlord or employees make derogatory comments about a resident’s or guest’s sexual orientation, including a refusal to respect a resident’s gender identity.
• Failing to protect the right of “quiet enjoyment” of rental housing when a resident is harassed or intimidated because of the resident’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
• Any advertising that includes a preference for or against tenants based on sexual orientation.

If you believe you were discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, file a complaint.