MRP Fair Housing Laws 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law specifically prohibits housing discrimination against individuals with disabilities?
- Civil Rights Act of 1866
- Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (Correct answer)
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Correct answer: Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988
The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 added disability and familial status as protected classes under the Fair Housing Act.
Question 2: A landlord refuses to allow a disabled veteran to install a grab bar in the bathroom. Under the Fair Housing Act, this landlord is most likely:
- Within their rights since the unit could be damaged
- Violating the law by denying a reasonable modification (Correct answer)
- Allowed to refuse if the lease prohibits alterations
- Required only to allow modifications in common areas
Correct answer: Violating the law by denying a reasonable modification
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to allow reasonable modifications to dwelling units for people with disabilities, though they can require the tenant to restore the unit upon departure.
Question 3: Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), a military member who receives permanent change of station (PCS) orders may terminate a lease with how much notice?
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
- 90 days
Correct answer: 30 days
The SCRA allows servicemembers with PCS orders to terminate a lease by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders, with termination effective 30 days after the next rental due date.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act?
- National origin
- Familial status
- Sexual orientation (Correct answer)
- Religion
Correct answer: Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation is not a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act, though many states and local jurisdictions have enacted their own laws adding this protection.
Question 5: A real estate agent tells a military family that a certain neighborhood 'isn't really right for families like yours' based on the family's national origin. This is an example of:
- Steering (Correct answer)
- Blockbusting
- Redlining
- Panic selling
Correct answer: Steering
Steering is the illegal practice of guiding buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their membership in a protected class.
Question 6: Under the Fair Housing Act, a 'reasonable accommodation' for a person with a disability refers to:
- Physical changes to the unit paid for by the landlord
- A change in rules, policies, or practices to allow equal opportunity (Correct answer)
- A rent reduction proportional to the disability rating
- Reserved parking spaces in all cases
Correct answer: A change in rules, policies, or practices to allow equal opportunity
A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, or practices — not a physical change — that allows a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing.
Question 7: The Fair Housing Act's familial status protection covers which of the following groups?
- Only married couples with children under 18
- Single parents with children and pregnant women (Correct answer)
- Families with children under 21
- Any household with more than two occupants
Correct answer: Single parents with children and pregnant women
Familial status protection covers households with children under 18, including single parents, and extends to pregnant women and those in the process of securing legal custody.
MRP Fair Housing Laws 2
Which federal law specifically prohibits housing discrimination against individuals with disabilities?