Laws and regulations

The Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud enforces the discrimination regulations in the housing laws and Working Environment Act, but not the penalty code.

The prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sexual preferences or homosexual orientation is not completely uniform in the various laws. This can therefore create a great deal of confusion. Various concepts such as “sexual orientation”, “sexual preference”, “homosexual leaning” and “homosexual”. Depending on which term is used in the various laws, the prohibition’s scope and protection will vary.

The Working Environment Act

We also have regulations forbidding discrimination on certain grounds in employment. These grounds are political viewpoints, membership in an employee organization, sexual orientation, disability and age.

- The Working Environment Act, Chapter 13 on equal treatment

Housing Acts

The housing legislation contains a special prohibition on discrimination against a person on the grounds of sexual orientation. This means for instance that a housing association may not make rules forbidding two people of the same gender from owning a unit. Also, a home-owner cannot refuse to rent to a homosexual person. In principle, the protection in the housing acts applies to just homosexual people and not heterosexuals, in contrast to the Working Environment Act which protects both groups.

If you consider that you have been discriminated against in the context of any or several of these bases, send a complaint to the Ombud or just seek legal guidance via telephone, our complaints form, e-mail or by letter.

Anti-discrimination regulations in the housing legislation

• The Tenancy Act
• The Housing Cooperatives Act
• The Cooperative Building and Housing Associations Act
• The Joint Housing Ownership Act