HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 2-19
Discrimination in Marketing, Statements, and Notices (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. Owners must market available units in a nondiscriminatory manner.
1. This requirement covers printed or published notices, statements, or
advertisements. Examples of notices and statements include any
applications, flyers, brochures, deeds, signs, banners, posters, billboards,
or other documents used to market available units. For additional
information about advertising requirements, please refer to paragraph 4-
12 D.
2. The marketing requirement also covers oral notices or statements.
B. Actions prohibited by this requirement include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Using words, phrases, photographs, illustrations, symbols, or forms that
suggest that units are available or not available to certain people based
on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin;
2. Expressing to agents, brokers, employees, prospective renters, or any
other person a preference for or limitation on any renter based on race,
color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin;
3. Selecting media or locations for advertising the renting of units that are
unlikely to attract particular people to apply for occupancy at the property
because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national
origin; and
4. Refusing to advertise for the rental of units or requiring different charges
or terms for such advertising based on race, color, religion, sex, disability,
familial status, or national origin.
C. For additional information on marketing and Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing
Plans, see Chapter 4, Section 2.HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 2-19 establishes that housing units must be marketed without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This rule applies to all forms of marketing—printed materials, digital content, signage, and oral communications alike. It also prohibits steering advertising choices toward media or locations that would effectively exclude certain groups from learning about available units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 2-19, compliant property owners and managers review all marketing materials—applications, flyers, banners, online listings, and any oral communications—to ensure no language, imagery, or symbols suggest a preference for or limitation on prospective renters based on protected characteristics. Operators also evaluate their choice of advertising channels to confirm those outlets reach a broad, nondiscriminatory audience rather than systematically excluding any protected group. Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans, addressed in Chapter 4, Section 2 of the same handbook, provide additional guidance on building a compliant marketing program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 2-19 gives prospective and current renters the right to be considered for housing without encountering discriminatory language, imagery, or advertising practices based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. If a rental advertisement, sign, or oral statement appears to signal that certain people are unwelcome, that may constitute a violation of this provision. Individuals who believe they have encountered such discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or consult a tenant-rights organization to learn about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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