Are landlords allowed to refuse to rent to same-sex couples under Fair Housing Law?

In North Carolina, the Fair Housing Act prevents landlords from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. It does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This means that landlords can legally refuse to rent to same-sex couples or anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Although North Carolina does not have any laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, there are some cities and counties that do. 20 cities and counties in North Carolina have adopted ordinances that prohibit discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. These ordinances make it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to same-sex couples and other individuals protected under the ordinance. It’s important to note that even if a landlord is not in the jurisdictions with these ordinances, they should not deny a tenant based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This could be considered a violation of fair housing laws. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has declared that discriminating based on gender identity is a form of sex discrimination. Therefore, it is against federal law to refuse to rent to someone based solely on their gender identity. To sum up, landlords in North Carolina are not bound by any laws prohibiting discrimination against same-sex couples. However, there are certain jurisdictions that have adopted laws that protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination. Additionally, landlords should think twice before refusing to rent to same-sex couples as this could be considered a violation of fair housing laws.

Related FAQs

What rights do tenants have when it comes to Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to deny housing to victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords required to post a notice of non-discrimination in accordance with Fair Housing Law?
Is a landlord allowed to discriminate against tenants based on their occupation under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to refuse tenants based on their race under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to refuse to rent to same-sex couples under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords required to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with disabilities under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to discriminate against tenants based on their marital status under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to deny applications based on a tenant's age under Fair Housing Law?
What legal recourse is available to tenants who have been discriminated against in violation of Fair Housing Law?

Are landlords allowed to refuse to rent to same-sex couples under Fair Housing Law?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts