Malta — Ch. 30 Human Relations § 30-43
Civil rights violations; real estate transactions
Operative Text
It is a civil rights violation for an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction, or for a real estate broker or salesman, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or familial status, to: (1) Transaction. Refuse to engage in a real estate transaction with a person or to discriminate in making available such a transaction; (2) Terms. Alter the terms, conditions or privileges of a real estate transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection therewith; (3) Offer. Refuse to receive or to fail to transmit a bona fide offer to engage in a real estate transaction from a person; (4) Negotiation. Refuse to negotiate for a real estate transaction with a person; (5) Representations. Represent to a person that real property is not available for inspection, sale, rental, or lease when in fact it is so available, or to fail to bring a property listing to his attention, or to refuse to permit him to inspect real property; (6) Publication of intent. Print, circulate, post, mail, publish or cause to be so published a written or oral statement, advertisement or sign, or to use a form of application for a real estate transaction, or to make a record or inquiry in connection with a prospective real estate transaction, which expresses any limitation founded upon, or indicates, directly or indirectly, an intent to engage in discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service; (7) Listings. Offer, solicit, accept, use or retain a listing of real property with knowledge that discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service or discrimination on the basis of familial status in a real estate transaction is intended. State Law reference-- Similar provisions, 775 ILCS 5/3-102.
Malta Ch. 30 § 30-43 prohibits discrimination in real estate transactions based on characteristics such as race, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, military status, familial status, and related categories. Covered parties include property owners, real estate brokers, and salespersons. The rule bars discriminatory conduct across the full arc of a transaction — from initial listings and advertising through negotiation, offers, and the setting of terms — so that protected characteristics cannot lawfully influence any stage of buying, selling, or renting property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Malta Ch. 30 § 30-43, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, non-discriminatory criteria at every stage of a real estate transaction, including how properties are advertised, how inquiries are handled, and what terms are offered to prospective buyers or tenants. Operators generally ensure that listings, application forms, and any written or oral communications contain no language that signals a preference or limitation based on any protected characteristic. Maintaining uniform policies for showing properties, transmitting offers, and negotiating terms is a hallmark of compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Malta Ch. 30 § 30-43 gives prospective and current tenants or buyers the right to be free from discrimination at any point in a real estate transaction, including being shown available properties, receiving fair terms, and having offers transmitted without interference. If a person believes a landlord, owner, or broker has violated this provision — for example, by misrepresenting availability or refusing to negotiate — they may have grounds to raise the violation through a civil rights complaint process or as a defense in related proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with Illinois civil rights law (the provision references 775 ILCS 5/3-102) can help individuals understand the options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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