Survivor Housing FAQ: Is That Sexual Harassment?
It’s against the law to sexually harass someone when it comes to housing. There are two main types of sexual harassment.
- "Quid pro quo" harassment: A housing provider or someone connected to them demands sexual favors in exchange for housing or related services.
- "Hostile environment" harassment: When a tenant experiences severe or frequent harassment based on their sex, making it hard for them to use their home. The seriousness, nature, location, how often it happens, and the relationship between the people involved determine if the harassment creates a hostile environment. Physical harm is not necessary, and even one incident can create a hostile environment.
If a tenant is facing sexual harassment in housing, there are several options.
- File a complaint in court or with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, or the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. These agencies investigate and address such complaints. The time limit for filing a complaint may vary, sometimes as short as 180 days,
- Consult an attorney to explore options.
It is also important to note that tenants can experience sexual harassment from other tenants within the property. In those situations, tenants can report the situation to their housing provider and ask them to take appropriate action to stop the harassment. Housing providers can be held responsible for tenant-on-tenant harassment if they knew about the problem or should have known, had the power to do something about it, and didn't take quick action.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.