Can a landlord ask your religion?

Religious Affiliation They also can’t ask if you are religious in general. Thanks to the Fair Housing Act, discriminating against a rental applicant based on their religion is prohibited by law, and your landlord can’t use your religious affiliation to deny you housing.

Can you be evicted for your religion?

In the U.S. generally, one cannot be evicted because one has or has not any religious beliefs. However, if the practice of those beliefs involves actions which violate the lease terms, those actions can be cause for termination of lease, if sufficient notice to to cease such actions is given, and then ignored.

Can you ask about race on rental applications?

Landlords have a right to screen prospective tenants, and you’ll want to be as thorough as possible. Certain questions are simply off-limits. Asking a tenant about their race or religion are big no-nos, as are questions about arrest records.

What law made religion a protected class?

The protected classes grew significantly in the 20th Century, beginning with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII of the Act prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion.

Is religion protected under fair housing?

The Fair Housing Project enforces the federal and state Fair Housing Acts, which prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.

What are the two types of rental agreements?

Most rental agreements are short-term agreements, such as month-to-month tenancies, while lease agreements are usually for longer rental periods, such as six months, a year, or more.

Can a landlord ask about a tenant’s race?

When a landlord hands out a rental application, it can’t include a question about the race of the applicant. Under federal antidiscrimination law (specifically the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), 42 U.S. Code §§ 3601-3619, 3631 ), landlords may not discriminate against prospective tenants and current tenants based on their race.

Is it illegal to ask a landlord about sexual orientation?

As for sexual orientation, there is no federal law that prohibits asking this question, however, many state laws and city ordinances make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. Some of the states that make rental discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal include California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

What kind of questions can a landlord ask?

Some questions are prohibited under state or local law where the rental property is located, while other restrictions are banned under federal law in every state. Landlords should be aware of potential minefields to avoid being subject to legal action for asking the wrong things.

Can a landlord discriminate against a tenant?

But keep in mind that you can’t discriminate against a person because they have been convicted of a crime in many states, including California. The crime would have to influence their ability to be a good tenant, such as an illegal drug conviction or a history of violent offenses that could put other tenants at risk.