New York Expands Human Rights Law to Ban Discrimination in Real Estate Appraisals

On October 16, 2025, A6689 was signed into law and now New Yorkers are protected from discrimination in real estate appraisal services by the New York State Human Rights Law. 

This bill expands the New York State Human Rights Law, at Executive Law 296, by enacting new paragraph (h), which now provides:

IT SHALL BE AN UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE FOR ANY PERSON TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL IN MAKING REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL SERVICES AVAILABLE OR TO BASE A REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL, ESTIMATE, OR OPINION OF VALUE ON THE RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MILITARY STATUS, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, STATUS AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME, OR FAMILIAL STATUS OF EITHER THE PROSPECTIVE OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTY, THE PRESENT OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTY, OR THE PRESENT OWNERS OR OCCUPANTS OF THE REAL PROPERTIES IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPERTY. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PROHIBIT A REAL ESTATE APPRAISER FROM TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION FACTORS OTHER THAN RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MILITARY STATUS, SEX, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, STATUS AS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LAWFUL SOURCE OF INCOME, OR FAMILIAL STATUS.

The bill also provides license law procedures to enforce discriminatory violations by appraisers, including a fine, suspension, or revocation of licensing statute. It finally creates funding for an anti-discrimination in housing fund to be administered by the AG to test fair housing compliance. 

If you believe you’ve been a victim of appraisal discrimination or need guidance on compliance with the New York State Human Rights Law, contact Lieb at Law, P.C. at 646.216.8009 to speak with an attorney experienced in real estate discrimination litigation.

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NYS Protects Homeowners from Discrimination by Real Estate Appraisers in New Addition to the State's Human Rights Law

On October 25th, Governor Hochul signed A06833 adding additional protection to New York State's Human Rights Law making it clear that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable in New York. This addition is effective as of October 25th, 2023. 

This addition will protect Homeowners from being discriminated against by Real Estate Appraisers based on the Homeowner's protected characteristic, including race, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.  

With this addition the Department of State will be able to revoke, or suspend the license of a Real Estate Appraiser found to be in violation of the Human Rights Law. 

New York State felt this addition was necessary after it was revealed that Real Estate Appraisers in Illinois, California, Florida, and Connecticut had been found to lower appraised home values by up to 50% based on what the Appraisers find in the home including, cultural pieces, books written by people of color and family photos of people of color that were left out in plain view. 

New York State is making sure these discriminatory practice does not take place in New York and this addition to the Human Rights Law will discourage these discriminatory acts. 

If you were discriminated against by a Real Estate Appraisers in New York within the last 3 years, you may have a claim under New York State's Human Right Laws.  

To read more about this addition to New York State Human Rights Law, click here.