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

In Washington, landlords are not allowed to refuse to rent to same-sex couples under Fair Housing Law. This protection is spelled out in the Washington Law Against Discrimination, which was amended in 2006 to include sexual orientation as a protected class. The law prohibits discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity when renting or selling a property. This means that a landlord cannot discriminate against someone who identifies as LGBTQ in any aspect of the rental process, including screening, leasing, or other services. Fair Housing Law in Washington also prohibits discrimination based on other characteristics such as age, religion, race, color, national origin, familial status, and disability. Landlords must comply with these laws, and can be subject to legal action if they refuse to rent to same-sex couples or other protected classes. To ensure compliance with Fair Housing Law, landlords should be aware of their rights and responsibilities and consider instituting non-discriminatory policies. For example, they may want to include language in their lease agreements ensuring equal access for all tenants regardless of their sexual orientation. They should also provide fair and equal treatment for all their tenants and abide by the law.

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

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