What are the protected classes under Fair Housing Law?
Under Fair Housing Law in California, specific protected classes are designated and protected from discrimination. The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) defines the protected classes as race, color, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), national origin (including ancestry), familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), marital status, age (40 or older), disability (mental or physical), source of income, and genetic information. Specifically, it is illegal in California for landlords, property owners, and housing providers to deny housing based on any of these protected classes. This includes refusing to rent or sell a property, advertising for a certain type of tenant or buyer, or enforcing different terms or conditions for a tenant or buyer based on their membership in a protected class. California also requires all property owners and housing providers to make reasonable accommodations for disability, religious beliefs, and other protected classes when necessary. Homeowners and housing providers in California may also not use discriminatory terms or phrases in their contracts, advertising, or other housing-related documents. Additionally, landlords and property owners must make reasonable efforts to communicate this information in languages other than English if necessary. In summary, Fair Housing Law in California protects specific classes from discrimination in the housing industry, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, marital status, age, disability, source of income, and genetic information. It is also illegal for homeowners and housing providers to use discriminatory terms in contracts or advertising, and reasonable accommodations must be provided when necessary.
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