Are landlords allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law?

No, landlords are not allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law in Hawaii. The Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. This includes refusing to rent or sell housing, setting different terms, conditions, or privileges for purchasing or renting a dwelling, or providing different housing services or facilities. It is illegal for landlords to take any action that results in unequal treatment of individuals in the sale or rental of housing due to their ethnicity or national origin. This includes not showing them certain housing units, refusing to rent to them in the first place, or charging them more than others for the same unit. Additionally, landlords are not allowed to use language in advertisements that could indicate preference for a certain type of tenant, such as use of words like “desirable” or “executive” with racial connotations. These laws are in place to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity or national origin, have equal access to housing opportunities. If a tenant believes they have been subjected to discrimination, they can file a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission.

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Are landlords allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law?

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