Can a landlord deny a rental application because the applicant has children in accordance with Fair Housing Law?

In Texas, it is illegal for a landlord to deny a rental application based on the applicant having children. According to Fair Housing Law, it is against the law to discriminate against a rental applicant based on familial status. This includes families with children under the age of 18, pregnant women, and people securing custody of a child. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) enforces the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. This means that landlords cannot refuse to rent to families with children, charge different rental rates, or create different rules for families with children. There are a few exceptions to Fair Housing Law in Texas. Landlords can reject applicants if they don’t meet their standards (for example, if the tenant doesn’t have a good credit score or has a prior eviction). Additionally, landlords are not required to rent to tenants with Section 8 vouchers. Overall, it is illegal for a landlord to deny a rental application because the applicant has children in accordance with Fair Housing Law. Doing so can result in legal action and serious fines.

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