Pennsylvania Fair Housing Laws: Exam Guide for the Salesperson Test

Fair Housing Is Tested in Both Sections

Fair housing questions appear in both the national and Pennsylvania state sections of the salesperson exam. National questions test the seven federal protected classes and the Fair Housing Act. Pennsylvania questions test the state's Human Relations Act additions and how violations are handled in Pennsylvania.

Federal Fair Housing: Seven Protected Classes

The federal Fair Housing Act (1968, amended 1988) prohibits discrimination in housing transactions based on:

1. Race
2. Color
3. National origin
4. Religion
5. Sex
6. Familial status
7. Disability

Prohibited acts: refusing to sell or rent, applying different terms, misrepresenting availability, advertising preferences, steering buyers toward or away from neighborhoods, and blockbusting.

Federal exemptions (narrow and rarely applicable): owner-occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units (Mrs. Murphy), single-family homes sold without an agent, housing operated by religious organizations for non-commercial use. These exemptions do NOT apply when a licensed real estate agent is involved.

Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) adds three protected classes beyond the seven federal classes:

• Marital status — cannot discriminate based on marriage, single, divorced, or widowed status
• Sexual orientation — includes gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals
• Gender identity — includes transgender and non-binary individuals

These state protections apply to all real estate transactions in Pennsylvania: sales, rentals, financing, and the terms of service.

Fair Housing and the Consumer Notice

The Pennsylvania Consumer Notice that licensees must provide to buyers and sellers includes a fair housing statement. Candidates should know that providing the Consumer Notice is part of Pennsylvania's broader consumer protection framework — separate from but complementary to fair housing compliance.

Steering and Blockbusting

Steering — directing buyers toward or away from neighborhoods based on protected class characteristics. Even well-intentioned steering (a licensee assumes a buyer "would prefer" a neighborhood based on demographics) is illegal.

Blockbusting — inducing panic selling by suggesting protected-class residents are moving into a neighborhood and will reduce property values. Prohibited under both federal and Pennsylvania law.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC)

Pennsylvania fair housing complaints are handled by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). Complaints can also be filed with HUD. The PHRC has authority to investigate, mediate, and enforce PHRA violations.

Candidates should know: fair housing complaints in Pennsylvania can go to PHRC (state) or HUD (federal), and private lawsuits are also available.

Advertising Under Fair Housing

All real estate advertising — MLS listings, social media posts, print materials — must be free of language that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on any protected class. This includes:

• Language describing preferred tenant demographics
• Images used consistently to represent only one demographic
• Descriptions that discourage protected-class applicants

ADA Compliance

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to commercial properties and common areas. For multifamily residential buildings of 4+ units built after March 13, 1991, the Fair Housing Act requires accessible design: accessible entrances, wide doorways, accessible light switches, and reinforced bathroom walls for grab bars.

Common Exam Mistakes on Fair Housing

• Confusing the PHRA additions (marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity) with federal classes — the PHRA adds three; federal has seven
• Thinking the Mrs. Murphy exemption applies when an agent is involved — it does not
• Not knowing that PHRC handles Pennsylvania complaints
• Forgetting that familial status protects families with children under 18, including pregnant women

For complete Pennsylvania fair housing prep and practice questions, visit [CARealestate.com/states/pennsylvania](https://carealestate.com/states/pennsylvania).