Which practice would be illegal under the Fair Housing Act if based on protected status?

Which practice would be illegal under the Fair Housing Act if based on protected status?

• A. Refusing to rent a unit because of the applicant's race
• B. Requiring all tenants to have a pet
• C. Charging the same rent to all applicants
• D. Advertising property equally

Answer: (A)

Discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Race is a protected status, so making a rental decision specifically because of the applicant’s race is illegal. The other scenarios describe neutral, non-discriminatory practices: requiring every tenant to have a pet is a general rule, not targeting a protected group; charging the same rent to all applicants is standard fair pricing without bias; advertising property in a way that invites all applicants and doesn’t favor or exclude protected classes is in line with fair housing principles. In short, the illegal action is making a housing decision based on race.

Discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Race is a protected status, so making a rental decision specifically because of the applicant’s race is illegal. The other scenarios describe neutral, non-discriminatory practices: requiring every tenant to have a pet is a general rule, not targeting a protected group; charging the same rent to all applicants is standard fair pricing without bias; advertising property in a way that invites all applicants and doesn’t favor or exclude protected classes is in line with fair housing principles. In short, the illegal action is making a housing decision based on race.