The Salina Human Relations Commission is a civil rights enforcement agency. It investigates complaints from persons alleging they have been discriminated against in employment, housing, or public accommodations because of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age (40-70), ancestry, or disability, in addition to familial status in housing.

Chapter 13, Article II of the Code of the City of Salina, Kansas, as amended, authorizes the agency to receive, investigate, and attempt to conciliate a complaint or complaints alleging discrimination, segregation, or separation in employment, public accommodations or housing inside the city limits and to hold public hearings.

Filing a Complaint

To file a complaint, come in person to the Human Relations Department, call us at (785) 309-5745 or e-mail us by clicking here: HU@salina.org. You begin the process by filling out an intake form.

(Documents can be accessed by clicking on green links.)

Landlord/Tenant Information

If you are a landlord who is having problems with a tenant, you may issue them a 14/30-Day Notice, which allows you to evict them after 30 days if the problem isn't taken care of within 14 days after receiving the notice. If you would simply like to issue a 30-day notice to vacate the premises, that form can be accessed by clicking here. We also have a 60-Day Notice to Quit form available (60 days notice is required for renters of mobile homes), as well as a sample rental application and lease agreement. 

Tenants likewise have the right to issue a 14/30-Day Notice if their landlord is failing to comply with the terms of the lease and/or the Kansas Landlord/Tenant Act, which will be discussed below. Other tenant forms we have available include 30-Day Notice to Quit, 60-Day Notice to Quit and a maintenance request form.

Kansas Landlord/Tenant Act

State law governing rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants are spelled out in the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Covered topics include rental agreements, security deposits, duties of the landlord and tenant, landlord's right to enter premises, nonpayment of rent, extended absence of tenant and acceptance of late rent.

Some highlights of the act include the following:

• Within five days of receiving possession of the dwelling, the landlord (or a designated representative) and the tenant should inventory the property together. A written record detailing the condition of the premises and any furnishings or appliances provided should be done, and duplicate copies should be signed by the landlord and tenant. The tenant should receive a copy of the inventory sheet.

• For an unfurnished dwelling, a landlord may not require a security deposit in an amount more than the equivalent of one month's rent. If the tenant is allowed to use furniture owned by the landlord, the security deposit may not exceed 1 1/2 month's rent.

• A landlord may require an extra security deposit for tenants who have pets, but the amount may not exceed the equivalent of one half of a month's rent. 

• Landlord duties include: compliance with building and housing codes; the exercise of "reasonable care" in the maintenance of common areas; keep electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in "good and safe working order;" supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times.

• Tenant duties include: keeping the dwelling as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit; removal of all ashes, garbage and other waste in a "clean and safe manner;" to use all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems in a "reasonable manner;" to be responsible for any destruction or damage to the premises "caused by an act or omission" of the tenant; to not be involved in or allow conduct that will "disturb the quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the premises" by other tenants.

• The landlord has the right to enter the dwelling "at reasonable hours, after reasonable notice to the tenant" has been given, in order to make repairs, etc. We recommend providing the tenant with a 24-Hour Entry Notice. The act also indicates that the landlord may enter the dwelling without consent "in case of an extreme hazard involving potential loss of life or severe property damage."

• If rent is due but unpaid, the landlord may evict three days after giving notice. You can obtain a 3-Day Notice form (in English and Spanish) by clicking here.

• It is unlawful for a landlord to increase rent or decrease services as a retaliatory action in response to a tenant filing a complaint against them with a governmental agency.

Fair Housing Act

The federal Fair Housing Act protects individuals from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, family status (number of children) and disability with regard to the purchase or rental of housing propety. If you feel you have been a victim of housing discrimination, please contact the Salina Human Relations Department.

Housing Rights of the Disabled

The federal Fair Housing Act protects those with disabilities from discrimination. The act defines a disabled person as: someone who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of the person's major life activities; someone who has a record of having such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.

The law requires the landlords allow "reasonable modifications" of the property to allow handicap access, if necessary. For example, if a ramp were needed to allow wheelchair access to an apartment, the landlord would be required to allow its installation. However, it would be installed at the tenant's expense, and the landlord has the right to require that the interior of the premises be restored (again, at the tenant's expense) once the tenant leaves.

Landlords also are required to make "reasonable accommodations" in rules, policies, practices or services when they may be necessary "to afford such person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling."

A form requesting reasonable modification/accommodation can be accessed by clicking here.

To view a presentation on reasonable modification, reasonable accommodation and service/therapy animals which was shown at the Salina Human Relations Department's 2010 Fair Housing Seminar, click here.