The Civil Rights Act of 1968 specifies that discrimination for housing accommodations is a violation of the law. Since tenants have the civil right to housing, landlords or other housing providers must offer housing without using race, color, religion, sex, handicap, origin, or disability as a factor in their decisions. Often times, this type of discrimination includes actions such as refusing to rent or sell, providing substandard housing, canceling the agreement, or harassing the tenant. One of the only exceptions is in the case of a roommate arrangement, which may be limited on the gender of a tenant. For individuals that feel they have been victimized by housing discrimination, a complaint can be filed through a local fair housing agency. If a housing provider is found guilty, a lawsuit may be in order and penalties can sometimes take place.