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.

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

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