What are the obligations of landlords when it comes to Fair Housing Law?

Landlords in the state of Washington are subject to the rules, regulations, and restrictions of the Federal Fair Housing Law. This law prohibits any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. The obligations of landlords when it comes to complying with the Fair Housing Law include: First, landlords must refrain from making any rental decisions—such as who they choose to rent to—based on any of the protected classes. This includes communication from the landlord, with statements like advertisements and spoken refusals or accepted offers of tenancy, to potential and current tenants. This also includes anyone who is part of the landlord’s team, such as agents and property managers. Second, landlords are obligated to treat all current tenants equally, regardless of their protected status. This means that a landlord must provide the same accommodations and services to all tenants, such as maintenance services, access to common areas, and an equal opportunity to renew their lease. Lastly, landlords are required to provide reasonable accommodations to those living with disabilities, such as providing assistance animals or making alterations to the premises. As long as it does not impose an “undue burden” on the landlord, the tenant’s request must be honored. Overall, landlords should consistently be aware of the Fair Housing Law and its regulations as they are obligated to abide by it. Failure to comply with the law can result in civil or criminal penalties.

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What are the obligations of landlords when it comes to Fair Housing Law?

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