Difficulty: Hard

Average Score: 33%

Which of the following is generally permissible under the federal Fair Housing Act and its Amendments?

Rationale

Renting rooms to only adult men in an owner-occupied four-unit building is generally permissible under the federal Fair Housing Act and its Amendments.

Under the Fair Housing Act, restrictions based on sex are not permissible in rental housing; however, there are specific exemptions. Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units may have some flexibility that allows the owner to rent to specific demographics, provided it does not violate other civil rights laws.

A (renting rooms to only adult men in an owner-occupied four-unit building) CORRECT

This choice is permissible because the Fair Housing Act allows for certain exemptions in owner-occupied buildings, where the owner can limit occupancy to adults of a specific gender, as long as it is not discriminatory in a broader context.

B (refusing to rent a luxury apartment to a woman with custody of her grandson) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is not permissible as it discriminates based on familial status, which is explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act. Denying housing because of a child in custody violates the Act's provisions.

C (advertising a condo online as being in a good Middle Eastern neighborhood) YOUR ANSWER

This choice may imply discrimination based on national origin or ethnicity, which the Fair Housing Act prohibits. Advertising that emphasizes a neighborhood's ethnic or racial composition can be considered discriminatory and thus is not permissible.

D (requiring persons with disabilities to pay higher than usual security deposits) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is not permissible as it violates the Fair Housing Act's prohibition against discrimination based on disability. Individuals with disabilities cannot be subjected to higher fees or deposits compared to other renters.

Conclusion

The federal Fair Housing Act aims to prevent discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. While there are specific exemptions for owner-occupied properties, choices B, C, and D violate the Act’s provisions protecting against discrimination. Choice A represents a permissible action under the Act as it falls within the established exemptions for small, owner-occupied rentals.

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