What's fair?

Even if you have good intentions, you can still find yourself the subject of a fair-housing complaint. Just memorizing the list of protected classes—though a good starting point—isn’t enough. Answer the following questions to see if you know some of the finer points of the law.

The answer follows each question, so scroll slowly if you wish to read a question before revealing the answer.

1. 1. If a property owner tells you he does not want to rent to Muslims, you should:
   a) respect his wishes
   b) tell him that he may not discriminate based on religion
   c) get him to sign a release of liability
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   1. b. If he maintains this request, you should refuse to represent him.
   
   
2. If a buyer asks about the racial makeup of a neighborhood, you should:
   a) tell him that you may not respond to such inquiries
   b) answer honestly to the best of your ability
   c) get him to sign a waiver, then tell him about the racial makeup of the neighborhood
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   2. a.
   
3. Which of the following is a bad choice to include in an ad?
   a) walk-in closet
   b) ideal for active, healthy person
   c) great views
   d) wheelchair ramp
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   3. b.
   
   
4. Which of the following should you not provide as answer to a question about schools?
   a) general comments about it being a good school district
   b) percentage of students who graduate c) student-teacher ratios
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   4. a. You should stick to facts or direct the person to contact the school directly.
   
   
5. True or false?
   Comments in the MLS are
   subject to fair-housing law.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   5. True.
   
   
6. Which of the following phrases about kids is the best choice to include in an ad?
   a) kids OK
   b) kids welcome
   c) well-behaved kids only
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   6. b.
   
   
7. Which of the following people is not protected by fair-housing laws?
   a) a person with AIDS
   b) a registered sex offender
   c) a white male
   d) a Canadian
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   7. b.
   
   
8. True or false? Expressing a preference for a person of a particular race is acceptable if that race is in the minority in your community.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   8. False.
   
   
9. True or false? It’s safe to advertise that a property is close to a particular house of worship, as long as you are stating a fact.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   9. False. Listing only a single house of worship could indicate a preference for a particular religion.
   
   
10. True or false? A property owner must make reasonable modifications to his property at his own expense to accommodate a handicapped tenant.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    10. False. However, the property owner must allow reasonable modifications at the tenant’s expense.
    

Illustration © Artville.

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