Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone due to their religion under Fair Housing Law?

Under California Fair Housing Law, landlords are prohibited from refusing to rent to someone due to their religion. This is known as religious discrimination and is in violation of the Fair Housing Act. In California, landlords are also required to treat tenants and prospective tenants without bias or discrimination of any kind. This includes: race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender, ancestry, marital status, or sexual orientation. If a landlord is found to be in violation of the Fair Housing Act, they could be subject to fines and other penalties. In some cases, they could face civil liability and even criminal charges. Additionally, California law prohibits a landlord from inquiring into someone’s religious beliefs as a condition of renting their property. It is important for landlords to remember that tenants have rights under the Fair Housing Act. They cannot use religious affiliation as a basis for refusing to rent to a tenant, or for setting different terms and conditions for people of certain religions. Although it is not illegal to have preferences when it comes to who a landlord rents to, they must adhere to California’s Fair Housing Act and respect the rights of individuals regardless of their religion.

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