Are landlords allowed to have different rental policies for different tenants in violation of Fair Housing Law?
In Washington, landlords are not allowed to have different rental policies for different tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Law. The law is designed to protect tenants from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, or handicap. Under the Fair Housing Law, a landlord must treat all prospective tenants equally and cannot offer different terms or conditions for renting an apartment or house to one group of people and not to another. This means landlords cannot deny an applicant the opportunity to rent an apartment based on their protected group status, or require different security deposits or rental terms. Additionally, landlords are prohibited from showing a home or advertising a unit in such a way as to indicate that only certain protected classes are welcome. This includes using language that indicates a preference for a particular type of tenant, such as referring to a unit as being ideal for a “young professional” or a “family with children.” Ultimately, the Fair Housing Law exists to make sure no tenant is denied a rental opportunity or treated differently from another tenant based on their protected group status. By following its principles, landlords can ensure they are not in violation of the law and save themselves from potential liability.
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