Skip to main content

Fair Housing

“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.

Education

1-9 of 37

Fair Housing: It’s the Law

Learn the Law on Fair Housing With discrimination complaints, undercover investigations and penalties on the rise, it is imperative to abide by federal, state and local laws regarding fair housing.…

Service and Support Animals Webinar

Federal and state fair housing laws allow individuals with disabilities the right to have service animals and support animals – also known as emotional support, comfort, or companion animals –…

This webinar provides a paragraph-by-paragraph explanation of the entire CAA Rental/Lease Agreement, including the provisions required to comply with AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which imposed rent…

Effective January 1, 2020, AB 1482 requires most landlord in California to make significant change to how they do business. This webinar explains the rent control and just cause provisions…

The number of residents 60 years of age or older has increased over the past decade. When renting to seniors, managers must confront common problems affecting the elderly, such as…

The Alameda County Eviction Moratorium ended on April 29, 2023. But there are still various protections, regulations, and requirements that housing providers must follow. And some cities have restrictions in…

In the News

1–9 of 15

California’s rental housing industry continues to face increased scrutiny over the accessibility of company websites. Plaintiffs’ attorneys have been contacting landlords throughout California, alleging violations of accessibility requirements under California…