Fair Housing Help: How to Tell if an Apartment Rule Illegally Discriminates Against Families With Children

Given the Fair Housing Act's (FHA) ban on familial status discrimination, you might wonder why so many landlords appear to get away with adopting and enforcing rules that single out children.

As I explain in a recent article, tenants and landlords alike can tell if a rule at your apartment building is compliant with the FHA by asking yourself two questions.

Fair Housing Help: Children in Senior Housing

If you're looking for an apartment in a senior community, you might prefer not to have children as your neighbors. On the other hand, you may want a senior community that allows children, particularly if you're the legal guardians of children.

Fair housing law lets children live in senior housing, but only under certain circumstances. Find out what they are by reviewing this summary I put together of what you should expect when you start a senior housing search.

Fair Housing Help: Who Qualifies for Senior Housing?

Many seniors prefer to rent an apartment in a community with other seniors. If you're one of them, you might wonder exactly what "senior housing" means and what age you must be to qualify for such a community.

To help you, I put together a summary of the Fair Housing Act's (FHA) senior housing's requirements so you can know what to expect before you begin an apartment search. Landlords who wish to limit occupancy of certain apartments to seniors should also be familiar with these requirements to avoid fair housing violations. 

Fair Housing Help: Single People and Housing Discrimination

If you're unmarried and looking for an apartment, you might wonder if there are apartment communities out there that limit residency to single folks. You might also be curious as to whether the fact that you're single gives you protection against housing discrimination.

You may find the answers in my recent article on single people and fair housing.

Fair Housing Help: Whom Does Familial Status Aim to Protect?

Many landlords refuse to rent to families with children, not knowing that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) bans discrimination based on "familial status." Also, many prospects who get turned away because they have children don't realize this is a violation of federal law.

But landlords, leasing agents, and other housing professionals who attempt to limit housing choices because prospects or tenants have children risk a discrimination claim against them.

If you have children or you plan to have children living with you in your apartment some day, you should be aware of how the law protects families with children against illegal discrimination. To avoid liability risks, landlords should also take a moment to read my article to learn who, exactly, qualifies for familial status protection.

Fair Housing Help: Overcoming Discrimination Fears

Worried that a landlord's beliefs or rules may unfairly prevent you from getting an apartment or enjoying your apartment living to the fullest?

Then, there are two things you can do right now.

First, you should take a moment to learn about how the law protects prospects and tenants against illegal discrimination. Next, you should find out what you can do if you believe you've become a victim of a fair housing violation.

Here's some help to accomplish both tasks.