Can a landlord refuse to rent to someone due to their religion under Fair Housing Law?
No, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to someone due to their religion under Fair Housing Law in Washington. The Fair Housing Law protects against discrimination based on a variety of characteristics, including religion. The Washington State Human Rights Commission enforces the law, and landlords are required to follow it. In general, it is illegal for a landlord to deny someone housing based on their religion. This means that a landlord cannot reject someone because of their faith, even if the religion is not one that is recognized or accepted in the United States. A landlord cannot require a tenant to practice a certain religion, and they cannot make any housing decisions based on someone’s faith or the practice of their faith. The Fair Housing Law also prohibits discrimination in terms of advertising. A landlord cannot publish an advertisement that excludes people of certain religions, or implies that a landlord prefers or will accept only a person of a certain faith. All potential tenants should see the same ad, regardless of their religious beliefs. If a tenant believes that discrimination has occurred, they can file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission. If the Commission finds that the landlord has violated the Fair Housing Law, the landlord may face penalties, ranging from a warning to monetary fines.
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