Fair housing
Federal law making it illegal to discriminate in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or family status. Many states and cities add more protected classes.
Every term like this one lights up in the step you're on.
Free to set up. No credit card.Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
Fair housing law applies to a seller too: the listing, the showings and the choice among offers cannot turn on a buyer's race, religion, family status, disability or the other protected classes. Choosing on price and terms is safe; choosing on who the buyer is, is not.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Two offers, one from a family with children and one from a single buyer, at the same price. The choice has to be made on the terms, not the family.
| What the seller does | Under fair housing law |
|---|---|
| Picks the stronger financing | Fine |
| Writes "perfect for a young couple" in the listing | A problem; it steers by family status |
| Declines a buyer's assistance animal | A problem; disability is protected |
Sell the house, not the buyer. Price, terms and timing are the safe grounds.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That fair housing only binds landlords and agents. It binds a private seller's listing and choices too, with narrow exceptions.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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