“Fair housing” is an umbrella term used to refer to the various federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in housing decisions based on membership in a protected class. Different laws specify different protected classes.

As a landlord, it is generally not necessary to know exactly which law applies so long as you understand the key principles that come from each law. However, it can be helpful to understand where federal, state, and local laws align and converge.

California has some of the most expansive and strict fair housing laws in the country. Many common rental policies can raise fair housing concerns and should be carefully developed to avoid illegal discrimination, such as occupancy standards, reasonable accommodations and modifications, assistance animals, live-in aides, source of income, immigration status, and children’s rules. A policy or action can be discriminatory even if there is no intent to discriminate.