California Real Estate SalespersonPractice of Real Estate and DisclosuresEasy
A property manager runs a classified ad stating: 'Charming 2BR apartment — perfect for a single professional, no children please.' Under fair housing law, this advertisement is:
- ALegal as long as the unit is a studio or one-bedroom
- BA violation only if a family with children actually applies and is rejected
- CA violation of fair housing law because it expresses a preference based on familial status
- DLegal, because it simply states the owner's rental preference
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A violation of fair housing law because it expresses a preference based on familial status
The Fair Housing Act and California FEHA prohibit advertisements that indicate a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on familial status. 'No children' language is discriminatory on its face regardless of whether an actual family applies.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Unit size does not exempt discriminatory advertising language.
- B. The violation occurs at publication of the ad, not only upon an actual rejected applicant.
- D. Owner preference is irrelevant; the ad itself violates the law.
Discriminatory Advertising
Housing advertisements may not state a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on any protected class, including familial status.
- Ads are violations on their face, no injured party needed
- Protected classes include familial status, race, religion, disability, etc.
- Applies to print, online, and social media advertising
Memory trick: 'No kids, no ad' — discriminatory words on paper are illegal words, period.