Are there any restrictions on types of questions a landlord can ask tenants in accordance with Fair Housing Law?
Yes, there are restrictions on the types of questions a landlord can ask tenants in accordance with Fair Housing Law in Washington. These restrictions are designed to protect tenants from discrimination and unlawful evictions. The Washington State Human Rights Commission states that landlords can not ask prospective tenants questions about their race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, creed, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a Section 8 voucher. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from requiring prospective tenants to provide more information than necessary to verify their eligibility for the rental unit. Landlords can ask questions about the prospective tenant’s ability to pay rent and provide verifiable references and other documents to verify income sources. Tenants must be aware of the potential for discrimination in such questions and should not hesitate to report any suspected violations to the Washington State Human Rights Commission. Additionally, landlords must provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with disabilities if requested by the tenant. It is important that both landlords and tenants understand their rights and responsibilities in accordance with Fair Housing Law in Washington. Tenants should ensure that they are not being asked questions that violate their rights, while landlords must make sure that their questioning practices are compliant with the law.
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