Kansas Fair Housing Laws: What's on the Real Estate Exam

Fair housing appears on both sections of the Kansas PSI exam. Understanding what the federal law covers, what Kansas adds, and what prohibited acts look like in practice is essential.

Federal Protected Classes

The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination based on:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Familial status (families with children under 18; pregnant women)
7. Disability

These seven apply in all states, including Kansas.

Kansas Statewide Fair Housing

Kansas state law generally mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act in its protected class definitions. Kansas does not add statewide classes beyond the federal seven in the way Iowa or California do.

However, several Kansas municipalities have enacted local fair housing ordinances that go further:

• Kansas City, KS — adds sexual orientation and gender identity
• Lawrence, KS — adds sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as other local protections
• Wichita and other cities — varying local protections

The Kansas PSI exam focuses on what is true statewide under Kansas law. For state exam purposes, know that Kansas mirrors federal fair housing at the state level, and note that some municipalities provide additional protections.

Enforcement in Kansas

Fair housing complaints in Kansas can be filed with:

• Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC) — state-level enforcement
• HUD — federal enforcement
• Federal district court — private right of action

The KHRC investigates complaints, facilitates conciliation, and can recommend civil action or administrative hearings.

Prohibited Acts

Whether under federal or Kansas law, the following are prohibited:

• Refusing to sell or rent to a protected class member
• Steering — directing buyers/renters to/from areas based on protected class
• Blockbusting — inducing panic selling by representing that protected class members are moving in
• Redlining — refusing loans or insurance in areas based on demographic makeup
• Discriminatory advertising — language signaling preference for or against a protected class
• Misrepresenting availability — falsely stating a property is unavailable based on protected class

Fair Housing Exemptions

Federal exemptions (which Kansas mirrors):

• Single-family home sold by owner without an agent (advertising must still be non-discriminatory)
• Owner-occupied building with 4 or fewer units (Mrs. Murphy exemption)
• Religious organizations limiting housing to members
• Private clubs limiting housing to members

Critical: These exemptions do NOT apply to real estate licensees. Even if helping a seller who personally qualifies for an exemption, the licensee cannot discriminate.

Kansas Exam Focus

The Kansas PSI state exam typically tests:

• Whether Kansas mirrors federal or adds state classes (mirrors federal statewide)
• Which local cities (Kansas City, Lawrence) have added sexual orientation and gender identity
• Whether a given scenario constitutes steering, blockbusting, or redlining
• Which exemptions apply (and that licensees are never exempt)
• The Kansas Human Rights Commission as the state enforcement body

Practice Kansas fair housing questions at [CARealestate.com/states/kansas](https://carealestate.com/states/kansas).