Are landlords allowed to refuse service based on a tenant’s sexual orientation under Fair Housing Law?

In Virginia, landlords are not allowed to refuse service based on a tenant’s sexual orientation under Fair Housing Law. This law, passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment, and public accommodations. This means that all tenants, regardless of their sexual orientation, are protected from discrimination while renting or leasing a property in Virginia. The law states that ”it is illegal for any person to deny, or attempt to deny, any person equal opportunity in housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, handicap, or sexual orientation.” This means that no one can be refused service or denied housing solely based on their sexual orientation. Furthermore, this includes refusing to rent to someone in same-sex relationships or forcing different terms and conditions of tenancy on those in same-sex relationships. Though Virginia’s Fair Housing Law is fairly recent, it isn’t the first of its kind in the United States. In 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act was passed, which prohibited discrimination in housing based on color, race, religion, and national origin. In 1988, the Fair Housing Amendment Act was passed, extending the list of protected classes to include familial status, sex, and handicap. Virginia’s newly passed Fair Housing Law ensures that everyone is given equal opportunity to find the housing they need without discrimination. No one should be denied service based on their sexual orientation when renting or leasing a property, and this law makes sure that this won’t happen in Virginia.

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Are landlords allowed to refuse service based on a tenant’s sexual orientation under Fair Housing Law?

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