Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 67%

Which of the following is true regarding federal fair housing laws?

Rationale

The landlord who occupies one-half of a duplex can refuse to rent the other half to an unmarried couple.

Under federal fair housing laws, there are specific exemptions for certain types of housing, which include owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units. In this case, a landlord occupying one-half of a duplex may legally refuse to rent to an unmarried couple without violating fair housing laws.

A (The landlord can evict a tenant for having minority friends.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is false as it directly contradicts federal fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Evicting a tenant for having minority friends would be considered discriminatory and illegal.

C (The landlord can refuse to rent to a financially qualified married couple.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice is incorrect because financial qualifications should not be a basis for discrimination. Fair housing laws require that all applicants, regardless of marital status, be evaluated based on their financial viability rather than personal characteristics. Refusing to rent based solely on marital status is discriminatory.

D (The landlord can refuse to rent to pregnant women.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement is also false as it violates the familial status protection under federal fair housing laws. Pregnant women are protected against discrimination, and landlords cannot refuse to rent to them based on their pregnancy status.

Conclusion

Federal fair housing laws are designed to prevent discrimination in housing based on certain protected characteristics. In this context, the exemption for owner-occupied duplexes allows a landlord to refuse rental to unmarried couples, while all other choices violate these legal protections. Understanding these nuances is crucial for both tenants and landlords to ensure compliance with fair housing regulations.

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