How to Protect Civil Rights as a Property Owner

Civil rights often brings free speech or protests of unfair practices to mind. However, civil rights also influence real estate purchases, and maintaining ownership or sale of property. Protect your real estate against forfeiture, confiscation for public use or illegal seizure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Consult a real estate attorney immediately if the state, law enforcement or federal government attempts to seize your property. Gather any written correspondence from the party trying to claim your home. Document all conversations and include the date and time of any relevant phone calls or meetings. Ask the attorney if your civil rights as a home owner are being violated.
2. Stop the state from confiscating your property for public use. Challenge their legal right to declare homes in your neighborhood as "blighted" in an attempt to prove it's in the interest of the state to retain ownership. Organize your neighbors and work together with legal representation to thwart this action.
3. Protect your civil rights from illegal search or seizure. If law enforcement agents try to enter your property, calmly ask to see the warrant. Tell the law enforcement officers that you want speak with a lawyer, and then call your attorney immediately. Cooperation means allowing the officers to search your property without your assistance.
4. Know that it's a civil rights violation to advise a real estate agent to sell your property only to certain members of a particular group. Federal law prohibits a broker to deny an opportunity to buy a home based on religious beliefs, sexual orientation, race or disability.

Tips & Warnings

• If the state uses eminent domain to seize your property, you are entitled to the property's fair market value. Many homeowners challenge the legal right of the state to confiscate homes when they only plan to sell them to developers.
• A real estate agent loses her license if she engages in any discriminatory action to satisfy a home seller.
• If law enforcement enters your home, don't volunteer any information. Invoke your right to remain silent, but cooperate with authorities as best you can until your lawyer arrives.
• It is difficult to get property returned once the state or federal government has possession of it. Seek out legal representation immediately. Make legal challenges regarding your civil rights while you still have possession of your property.