Navigating Fair Housing Questions about Kids and Pets, Oh My!
April 7, 2023
Your landlord client undoubtedly turns to you, their REALTORâ as the housing expert; while these answers are here to help guide your understanding of the interplay between fair housing, kids and pets please remember that all decision-making rests with the Landlord. Be the source of the information for your client, but refrain from the legal analysis required in making these determinations. The landlord’s elderly tenant doesn’t want a lot of noise, can they deny applications with children? No. The rental unit is very small, very old and located on a busy road, can the landlord state a preference for single occupants? No. Housing providers cannot discriminate based on familial status, which includes treating potential tenants who have children worse or differently than potential tenants without children or excluding them from the application process altogether. If a potential tenant…