The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits specific kinds of discrimination against tenants. For example, it is illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to someone simply because of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Many state and local fair housing laws forbid additional types of discrimination, such as that based on sexual orientation. A tenant who feels that a landlord has violated a fair housing law may file a complaint with a government agency, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or sue the landlord in court for unlawful discrimination.