How can I be sure I’m complying with fair housing laws?

September 27, 2017

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In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was passed to protect tenants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. If you’re a landlord, you’re probably pretty familiar with fair housing laws (if not, read up here).

Although it seems pretty basic, thousands of lawsuits are filed each year by renters who feel that their landlord wasn’t complying with the guidelines. Sometimes the discrimination is obvious, but there are several situations that you may not even realize are discriminatory. For instance, it’s illegal to state in a rental listing that the property would be perfect for a couple without children or someone young.

These seemingly benign statements and missteps could lead to you losing thousands of dollars in court cases and lost income. To ensure that you’re complying with fair housing laws, make sure you’ve read the entire Fair Housing Act. That being said, the laws do vary from state to state and there have been several amendments since the law was first passed.

To help you stay current and avoid legal trouble, we created this guide to fair housing laws in all 50 states that will help you learn the fair housing laws for your state. It also covers common mistakes to avoid when drafting up rental advertisements and applications.