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

No, landlords in Virginia are not allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law. Fair Housing Law is a federal law that bans discrimination when renting or purchasing a home or other residential real estate. This law applies throughout the United States, including the state of Virginia. It prohibits discrimination based on characteristics such as race, color, national origin, sex, religion, family status, and disability. In addition, the Virginia Fair Housing Law explicitly makes it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, familial status, or disability. Therefore, landlords in Virginia must abide by federal and state law when it comes to tenant screening, and they cannot use factors such as ethnicity when determining the eligibility of potential tenants. Any landlord or property owner found in violation of Fair Housing Law in Virginia can face serious penalties, including fines and even criminal charges.

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