Mediation Q&A
In 2014 the Texas Real Estate Commission made some significant changes to its contracts. Now, if a contract-related issue can't be solved through informal discussion, you must go through mediation before anyone files a lawsuit. Okay, your avoiding attorneys and courts. That sounds okay on the surface, but what about the particulars. Here are some commonly asked questions and answers, courtesy of the Texas Association of Realtors
Smoke 'em if you got 'em. Unless the landlord says "no way!"
My application to rent a house was denied because I’m a smoker. Doesn’t that violate fair-housing laws?
Not so much. If the landlord consistently says "no way" to smokers, he can refuse to lease to you. Federal fair-housing laws are not, surprisingly, to protect your right to burn carcinogens wherever you please. They're about making it illegal to deny people housing base of their race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or familial status.
Want to know more about fair housing laws? Check this out.
Life's not fair. But real estate is. Mostly.
When it comes to fair-housing laws, you can pretty much rest assured that discrimination doesn't serve as an obstacle to your housing choices. Specifically, fair housing laws prohibit someone from discriminating against you in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap or familiar status.