Fair Housing Commitment

At Abode Real Estate, fair housing is not just a legal obligation — it is a core value that guides every aspect of how we operate. We believe that every person deserves equal access to housing opportunities regardless of who they are, where they come from, or how they identify.

We are committed to full compliance with the Fair Housing Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act, the Nebraska Fair Housing Act, and all other applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws in every market we serve. This commitment extends to every listing on our platform, every interaction with our agents, and every feature of our website and services.

All properties listed on the Platform are available on an equal opportunity basis. We do not and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, commonly known as the Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on seven protected classes:

The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In very limited circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family homes sold or rented by the owner without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members. However, these exemptions do not apply to Abode Real Estate or the properties listed on our platform, and no exemption permits discriminatory advertising.

Penalties for Fair Housing Act violations are significant and are adjusted annually for inflation. As of 2026, civil penalties can reach up to $26,262 for a first violation, $65,653 for a second violation within five years, and $131,308 for two or more prior violations within seven years.

The Illinois Human Rights Act provides protections that go beyond federal law. In addition to the seven federally protected classes, Illinois prohibits housing discrimination based on:

Illinois’s source of income protections, effective January 1, 2023, mean that housing providers cannot discriminate against tenants who use Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), veterans’ benefits, Social Security, or other lawful sources of income. Immigration status protections took effect January 1, 2024, and reproductive health decision protections on January 1, 2025.

Complaints may be filed with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.

The Tennessee Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on:

Tennessee uniquely includes “creed” as a protected class, extending protections beyond the federal Fair Housing Act. The Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC) enforces these protections and accepts complaints from individuals who believe they have experienced housing discrimination.

Nashville, where Abode operates, has additional local ordinances that further strengthen protections for residents. We adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal requirements in our Nashville market.

The Nebraska Fair Housing Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 20-301 to 20-344) prohibits discrimination in housing based on:

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission (NEOC) enforces the state’s fair housing laws. Complaints must be filed within one year of the alleged discriminatory act. The NEOC investigates complaints, facilitates mediation, and may refer cases for legal action.

In addition to state protections, the City of Omaha — where Abode operates — has local ordinances that may provide additional protections. We comply with all applicable local, state, and federal fair housing requirements in our Omaha market.

Under the Fair Housing Act and applicable state laws, the following actions are prohibited when motivated by a person’s membership in any protected class:

In sales and rentals: Refusing to rent or sell housing; refusing to negotiate for housing; setting different terms, conditions, or privileges; providing different housing services or facilities; falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental; or persuading owners to sell or rent by suggesting that people of a particular protected class are moving into the neighborhood (blockbusting).

In mortgage lending: Refusing to make a mortgage loan; refusing to provide information regarding loans; imposing different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees; discriminating in appraising property; or refusing to purchase a loan.

Other prohibited conduct: Threatening, coercing, intimidating, or interfering with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right; and retaliating against any person who has filed a fair housing complaint or assisted in a fair housing investigation.

Abode Real Estate is committed to ensuring that our platform is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act requires that covered multifamily dwellings built for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 include certain accessible design features.

Reasonable accommodations: We support the right of individuals with disabilities to request reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford them equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

Reasonable modifications: We support the right of tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to their dwelling or common areas at their own expense, if necessary, for full enjoyment of the premises.

Digital accessibility: We strive to make our website and digital services accessible to people with disabilities, following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. If you encounter accessibility barriers on our platform, please contact us so we can address them.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits any advertising that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on any protected class. This applies to all forms of advertising, including online listings, printed materials, photographs, and descriptions.

Abode Real Estate adheres to HUD’s advertising guidelines and the National Association of Realtors’ advertising standards. All property descriptions on our platform focus on the features and characteristics of the property and neighborhood — never on the type of people who currently live there or who the property might be “ideal” for based on protected characteristics.

The Equal Housing Opportunity logo or slogan appears across our platform and marketing materials. We use property descriptions that describe physical features and amenities without suggesting preferences or limitations related to protected classes.

All Abode Real Estate agents, employees, and independent contractors are required to comply with all fair housing laws in every transaction and interaction. Our agents are trained to:

Treat every client, customer, and prospect equally regardless of protected class membership. Provide the same quality of service, information, and professional attention to all parties. Avoid steering buyers or renters toward or away from neighborhoods based on the racial, ethnic, or religious composition of those neighborhoods. Refuse to participate in any agreement or scheme to discriminate. Report any observed or suspected fair housing violations immediately to management.

Abode Real Estate provides ongoing fair housing training for all agents and staff to ensure awareness of current laws and best practices. Violations of fair housing policy by any Abode representative are grounds for immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, you have multiple avenues to file a complaint:

Abode Real Estate: Contact our compliance team directly at [email protected]. We take all complaints seriously and will investigate promptly.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): File a complaint online at hud.gov/fairhousing, call the HUD hotline at 1-800-669-9777 (voice) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY), or visit your nearest HUD office. Complaints must generally be filed within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.

Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR): File a charge of discrimination at dhr.illinois.gov or call (312) 814-1198. Charges must be filed within one year.

Tennessee Human Rights Commission (THRC): File a complaint at tn.gov/humanrights or call (615) 741-6055.

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission (NEOC): File a complaint at neoc.nebraska.gov or call (402) 471-2024. Complaints must be filed within one year.

For more information about your fair housing rights and protections:

HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity — Federal fair housing enforcement, education, and resources.

U.S. Department of Justice — Fair Housing Act — Full text and enforcement information for the federal Fair Housing Act.

Illinois Department of Human Rights — Fair Housing — Filing charges and understanding your rights under Illinois law.

Tennessee Housing Development Agency — Fair Housing — Tennessee fair housing resources and know-your-rights information.

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission — Housing Law — Nebraska fair housing enforcement and complaint process.

National Association of Realtors — Fair Housing — Industry resources and best practices for fair housing compliance.

If you have questions about our fair housing practices or wish to report a concern, please contact us:

Abode Real Estate
Fair Housing Compliance: [email protected]
General Support: [email protected]
Website: abode.realestate