🏠 What is the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on specific protected characteristics. Complying with this law is not only essential for legal reasons but also fosters a more inclusive and professional rental experience.
⚖️ Protected Characteristics Under Federal & Nevada Law
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation in Nevada)
- Disability
- Familial status
- National origin
- Ancestry (Nevada)
🚫 What Landlords Cannot Do
- Refuse to rent or sell housing based on a protected class
- Set different terms, conditions, or privileges for sale or rental
- Provide different housing services or facilities
- Evict a tenant or their guest based on a protected class
- Harass a person due to their protected status
- Impose different sales prices or rental charges
- Use different qualification criteria or applications
🐕 Service and Assistance Animals
Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. This includes allowing service or assistance animals, which are NOT considered pets. These animals:
- Are not subject to pet fees
- Are not subject to breed or size restrictions
- Must be allowed even if your property has a ‘no pets’ policy
✅ Tips to Stay Compliant and Fair
- Set uniform terms and conditions for all applicants
- Avoid any discriminatory language in advertising
- Handle all maintenance requests promptly and equally
- Train your team on fair housing laws and practices
- Keep detailed records of all interactions, applications, and inspections
For more information or questions about fair housing compliance, reach out to Paul Rich at THE Brokerage, A Real Estate Firm. pm@paulrich.realtor or #702-769-1495.
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