Malta, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 84 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 84-3
Discrimination in sale or rental prohibited
Operative Text
Discrimination in the sale or rental of housing, except as exempted herein, shall be improper in the Town of Malta: A. To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation. B. To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation. C. To make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, or sexual orientation or an intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination. D. To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available. E. For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin or sexual orientation.
Malta, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 84 § 84-3 prohibits housing discrimination in the Town of Malta across the full arc of a real estate transaction — from initial negotiations and advertising through the terms of any completed sale or rental. The protected characteristics include race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, and sexual orientation. The provision also bars the practice of 'blockbusting,' where someone profits by pressuring owners to sell based on claims about who is moving into a neighborhood.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Malta, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 84 § 84-3, compliant property owners and managers apply consistent, documented criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, and communicating unit availability — without regard to any of the listed protected characteristics. Advertising and listing language is reviewed to ensure it contains no stated or implied preference based on those characteristics. Staff and agents involved in leasing or sales are generally trained to recognize that misrepresenting a unit's availability to a prospective buyer or renter on a protected basis is itself a violation of this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Malta, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 84 § 84-3 gives residents of the Town of Malta the right to be free from discriminatory treatment at every stage of a housing search, including during negotiations, advertising, and the setting of rental or sale terms. If a tenant or prospective buyer believes they have experienced a violation — such as being told a unit is unavailable when it is not, or receiving different terms than others — they may raise that violation as a defense in a housing proceeding or file a complaint with a relevant fair-housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations and fair-housing agencies can help individuals understand what documentation may be relevant and what complaint pathways exist under this provision.
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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