Fair Housing- Sellers/Landlords Are You Following the Law?

1968- Fair Housing Law- Unlawful to discriminate on the sale or rental of real estate based on:

Race
Color
Religion
National Origin
Sex
Handicap
Familiar Status

The following groups are exempt per Career Education Systems:

*A seller or landlord selling their own residence as a FOR SALE BY OWNER and the owner doesn't own more than three properties at once

*An owner renting a 1-4 unit property, where the owner is an occupant of one of the units, has to rent on their own- no agent involved

*A religious organization working as a non profit can only discriminate based on religion

*Retirement type properties can discriminate on familiar status (not allowing families with children under 18) if the unit is more than 80% occupied by residence 55 years or older, or all occupants are 62 years are old.

Even with the above exemptions you can NEVER discriminate on RACE no matter the circumstances, owner occupant or not, with or without an agent.

Always use third party services when finding renters, such as credit reporting agencies.  This way you have someone else providing information- less likely to discriminate on the protected classes if you base your decision off the third parties findings.

To learn more or to obtain additional details regarding Fair Housing Click HERE.