You have the right to have your loan application reviewed fairly. Federal laws do not allow discrimination based on race, religion, age, national origin, sex, marital status, or whether you receive public assistance.
Two laws that protect you when you apply for a mortgage loan are:
Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre15.shtm )
Fair Housing Act ( http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/hce/title8.php )
Here are some examples of how these laws protect you:
You have the right to have a loan decision based on your own credit and earnings, unless any collateral for the loan is jointly owned.
If you are recently divorced, a lender must count all of your income. This includes alimony and child support payments. You must be able to show written proof of this income.
If you work part time and get public assistance, a lender has to take this income into account.
You may think you are not being treated fairly. If so, you can report this to the federal government. Discrimination is illegal, but it does happen.
The following agencies enforce housing laws. Below is information on how and where to file complaints. If you are not sure which agency to contact, choose any one from the list and someone at that agency can refer you to the right agency.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
For fair housing complaints when you have been trying to buy or rent a house or apartment.
(800) 669-9777 (toll-free)
http://www.hud.gov/complaints/housediscrim.cfm
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 5204
451 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410-2000
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo
Federal Reserve Board
For complaints against state-chartered banks that are members of the Federal Reserve System.
http://www.federalreserve.gov
(202) 452-3693
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
20th and C Streets, NW, Stop 801
Washington, DC 20551
http://www.federalreserve.gov
Comptroller of the Currency
For complaints against banks with ''National'' in the name or ''N.A." after the name.
Office of the Ombudsman
Consumer Assistance Unit
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710
Houston, TX 77010
(800) 613-6743 (toll free)
http://www.occ.gov
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
For complaints against state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System.
Compliance and Consumer Affairs
550 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20429
(877) 275-3342 (toll-free)
http://www.fdic.gov
Office of Thrift Supervision
For complaints against federal savings and loans and federal savings banks.
Consumer Programs
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
(800) 842-6929 (toll free)
http://www.treasury.gov/about/history/Pages/ots.aspx
