Fair Housing - Unlawful Discriminatory Practices

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According to Virginia state law 36-96.3 it shall be unlawful to, based on the protected classes:

  •  Refuse to sell or rent after receiving a bona fide offer or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person.
  • Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in the connection with the dwelling.
  • To make or cause to be made, printed, or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference or intention to make a preference, limitation, or discrimination. 
  • To represent to any person that any dwelling is not available for inspection, sale, or rental when such dwelling is in fact so available.
  • To include in any transfer, sale, rental, or lease of housing, any restrictive covenant that discriminates because of the protected classes or for any person to honor or exercise, or attempt to honor or exercise any such discriminatory covenant pertaining to housing.
  • To cause or attempt to cause someone to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of any of the protected classes.
  • To refuse to sell or rent, or negotiate for the sale or rental of, or make unavailable or deny a dwelling because of a handicap of (i) the buyer or renter, (ii) a person residing in or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is so sold, rented or made available, or (iii) any person associated with the buyer or renter.
S    So, basically, in a nutshell, you must rent or sell or negotiate with anyone who has made a honest offer to rent, purchase a dwelling.  You cannot refuse to do so based on any of the protected classes.  There are caveats to this law so, if you are considering renting or selling, please contact a real estate attorney for clarification.


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