Fair Housing & Non-Discrimination Policy

Own Ahead supports the letter and the spirit of the federal Fair Housing Act and applicable state and local fair-housing and civil-rights laws, and expects the same of every user. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Own Ahead is a marketplace and information service. Own Ahead is not a housing provider, landlord, real estate broker or agent, and does not own, manage, sell or finance the homes shown on the platform.

You must not use Own Ahead to discriminate, or to indicate a preference, limitation or discrimination, based on race, colour, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, familial status or disability, or on any other characteristic protected by applicable state or local law, such as marital status, age, source of income, military or veteran status, or citizenship or immigration status where protected.

• Listing text, titles, descriptions or images that state or imply a preference for or against people with a protected characteristic.
• Refusing to deal, offering different financing terms, or applying different qualification criteria on a discriminatory basis.
• Steering buyers toward or away from areas or properties on a discriminatory basis.
• Using filters, targeting or audience selection to include or exclude people based on a protected characteristic.
• Discriminatory, harassing or demeaning messages to buyers, sellers or representatives.
• Failing to make required reasonable accommodations or modifications where fair-housing law requires them.

Search filters on Own Ahead describe financing structure and property facts — such as down payment, rate, balloon terms, beds, baths, price and location. Buyer descriptors such as “first-time buyer”, “self-employed” or “new to the US” exist so buyers can find sellers open to their circumstances. They must never be used by a seller or representative to exclude a protected class or to apply discriminatory terms.

• You are responsible for making sure your listing content, advertising, screening criteria and communications comply with applicable fair-housing law.
• Advertised seller-financing criteria must be applied consistently and lawfully to everyone who inquires.
• You should seek legal advice before applying any qualification, income or credit criteria you are unsure about.

We may edit or remove listing content, decline or withdraw a claim approval, and suspend or terminate accounts that breach this policy. Serious matters may be referred to the relevant licensing body or authority. Enforcement action by Own Ahead does not limit any rights or remedies you may have under fair-housing law.

If you see a listing, filter, term or message on Own Ahead that you believe is discriminatory, tell us. Use the inquiry or report form on the listing page, or the request centre and choose “Other”. Include the listing link and what concerned you, and we will review it.

You can also file a housing discrimination complaint directly with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or with your state or local fair-housing agency. Reporting to Own Ahead is not a substitute for those routes, and we cannot give you legal advice about a complaint.

Own Ahead does not yet publish a dedicated legal or privacy mailbox. Until one is in place, send any legal, privacy, accessibility, copyright or security message through the privacy and requests centre. Requests submitted there are logged for review, and you do not need an account to use it.