National Real Estate Exam (PSI)Practice of Real EstateEasy
A landlord refuses to rent a two-bedroom apartment to a family with three young children, stating that the unit is 'too small for kids.' Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, this refusal is most likely illegal because it discriminates based on:
- AFamilial status
- BNational origin
- CSex
- DDisability
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Familial status
Familial status protects families with children under 18 from housing discrimination, including occupancy-based refusals unless the property qualifies for a bona fide age restriction. Refusing to rent solely because children are present violates this protection.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. National origin relates to ancestry or birthplace, not children.
- C. Sex discrimination involves gender, not the presence of children.
- D. Disability involves physical or mental impairments, not family composition.
Familial Status
A protected class under the Fair Housing Act covering families with children under 18, pregnant women, and those securing custody of children.
- Cannot refuse to rent/sell based on presence of children
- Occupancy standards must be reasonable, not exclusionary
- Exemption exists for qualified 55+ senior housing
Memory trick: Kids can't be kicked out for being kids.