Here is a sample ad: 

Gorgeous, smaller 1 bedroom apartment, in hip neighborhood, perfect for young couple without children. $900/month…

Sounds pretty benign doesn’t it?  This is based off an actual case in which the owner was sued and found guilty of violating Fair Housing Law.  Stating that the apartment was perfect for a young couple without children discriminates based on familial status and age.  The owner maintained that he wasn’t trying to discriminate.  He argued that he was pointing out to potentially interested parties that because the apartment was small it would be too crowded for a family, not that he wouldn’t have allowed a family to live there.  Nevertheless, he was found guilty.

Fair Housing Law is enforced VERY strictly and the reality is that it’s quite easy to stay in compliance.  Just make sure that you do stay in compliance because the penalties are stiff. 

For more information on fair housing law see chapter 12 of my book Investing in Real Estate with Lease Options and Subject-To Deals.

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