Which are examples of discrimination?

Read through the ten examples below and try to determine the answers.

Example 1

Alice is looking to rent a two-bedroom apartment for her and her 6-year-old son. The landlord says she is happy to show Alice a unit at the back of the complex, which is a short walk from the neighborhood park. After viewing the apartment, Alice asks if there are any units for rent closer to the front of the apartment to have better access to the main street. The landlord tells Alice no, but there is currently an available two-bedroom apartment at the front of the complex.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is an example of discriminating against families with children. the landlord is trying to keep all families with children confined to a particular area of the complex. This practice is called steering and is illegal.

Example 2

Sunshine Apartments offer a “kid free pool” for residents and their guests above 18 to use.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is an example of discriminating against families with children. A complex can’t totally ban children from using a common area. The complex can make rules based on safety such as “a child under 16 needs adult supervision to use the pool.”

Example 3

Jane and Jon are looking for a one-bed-room apartment, Jane is expecting her first baby in three months. The landlord refuses to 26 show them a one-bedroom, insisting that they will need two because of the baby.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is discrimination based on pregnancy. An apartment may set limits on how many people (including children) can live in an apartment. The limit needs to be reasonable, and usually does not apply to small children. If Jane and Jon stay long enough, they may need to move into a bigger apartment as their child grows.

Example 4

An African American couple applies in person to rent a single family home. The real estate agent tells them the unit is not available anymore, but the couple continues to see new ads for the home for six more weeks.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is racial discrimination. This couple was told the housing was not available when in fact it was.

Example 5

A woman with a Chinese accent calls regarding a home for sale in a predominantly white neighborhood. She leaves three messages, but her call is never returned. Her niece, who was born in the United States and has no accent, calls and hears back from the real estate agent within 24 hours.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is discrimination based on national origin. The real estate agent did not return the woman’s call in a timely fashion, but immediately called back the niece who did not have an accent.

Example 6

Jose wants to rent an apartment; the landlord instructs him to fill out a citizenship question. Later that day, Albert decides to rent an apartment from the same landlord, but Albert is not told to fill out the citizenship question.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is discrimination based on national origin. The landlord made an assumption about Jose and not Albert. A landlord may ask about an applicant legally being in the U.S. if that question is asked to everyone.

Example 7

Abdul, an Arab American, and his wife Nasim want to buy a house. They are okay with any house located in city A, B, or C. The real estate agent shows them only homes in city A, which has a large Arab-American community.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is discrimination based on race and/or national origin. The real estate agent is steering Abdul and Nasim to a particular city even though they made it clear they were also interested in homes located in two other areas. Steering is one of the most common types of discrimination.

Example 8

Sara lives in an apartment building. Because the building requires a key to get in, deliveries of packages are made to the office where residents can pick them up. Every time Sara goes to pick up a package, Joe, the rental agent says, “it is nice to see you, but so good to watch you leave.”

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, the comment is a form of sexual harassment based on Sara’s sex. Fair housing laws not only apply to the application process, or looking for a new home, they continue to apply to all staff at an apartment complex.

Example 9

Jim is a veteran and has been diagnosed with PTSD. Jim has awful nightmares that cause him to become violent. Jim’s doctor suggests he get a service dog trained to wake her human in a calming way when he has a nightmare. But, Jim’s apartment complex has a no pet policy. Jim goes to his rental office to 28 request a reasonable accommodation to allow him to have a service dog. The rental agent replies that the community does not allow dogs and can’t make an exception for Jim.

Is this discrimination?

YES

Correct, this is discrimination based on a disability. Jim’s use of a service dog is connected to his disability. His doctor can verify the request for the reasonable accommodation. But most importantly, the complex is not burdened by allowing Jim to have a service dog in an otherwise pet free community. Therefore, the rental office must allow Jim to have his service dog.

Example 10

Rocky got into a car accident, leaving him temporarily immobilized and in a wheelchair. Rocky asks his landlord if he can install a ramp leading to the front door of his mobile home. Rocky’s landlord agrees but won’t pay for the ramp.

Is this discrimination?

YES

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