Life Skills

Getting Information

Knowing where to go for information is an important skill you must learn. Sometimes you may not know what to do to find the solution to a problem. When that happens, knowing where to obtain the information is as important as knowing what to.

You can find information in your phone book in the government section, or at your local library, using their reference section or the Internet.

When you look for an apartment and rent one, you have both rights and responsibilities. You must be informed about what is expected of you and what you can expect in return. Landlord / tenant laws vary from state to state.

Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or disability. If you have been trying to buy or rent a home or apartment and you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a fair housing complaint.

There are several ways to file a complaint:

• You can file a complaint using an online form.
• You can contact the HUD office near you.
• You can print out a form from the Internet, complete it and bring it to your local HUD office.
• You can mail it to the nearest Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• You can use a lawyer to file the complaint for you, although it will cost more.