Wisconsin Fair Housing Guide for Real Estate Exam Prep

Wisconsin Fair Housing Guide

Wisconsin's open housing law (Wis. Stat. Chapter 106) provides broader fair housing protections than the federal Fair Housing Act. Wisconsin was an early leader in fair housing legislation and added protected classes well before federal law was updated. Understanding both the federal and state frameworks is essential for the Wisconsin real estate exam.

Federal Fair Housing Act (7 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. Handicap (disability)

These seven classes are tested in the national section. Wisconsin must enforce at least these protections.

Wisconsin Open Housing Law (Additional Protected Classes)

Wisconsin's Wis. Stat. Chapter 106 adds the following protected classes beyond federal law:

• Sexual orientation (including gay, lesbian, and bisexual)
• Marital status (single, married, divorced, widowed)
• Age (adults — protects against discrimination against older buyers/renters)
• Ancestry
• Source of income (in some contexts — rental applications)
• Lawful source of income

Wisconsin's open housing law is among the most comprehensive in the country. The exam tests the additional classes — particularly sexual orientation and marital status — as these are the most commonly tested state additions.

Prohibited Practices in Wisconsin

Steering: Directing buyers toward or away from neighborhoods based on protected class. A Wisconsin licensee who avoids showing properties in certain areas based on a buyer's race, sexual orientation, or marital status violates both state and federal law.

Blockbusting: Inducing owners to sell by suggesting that members of a protected class are moving in, with the implication of declining values.

Redlining: Denying services, lending, or insurance in geographic areas based on protected class demographics.

Discriminatory advertising: Using any language in real estate advertising that expresses a preference, limitation, or exclusion based on a protected class.

Wisconsin-Specific Applications

Wisconsin real estate professionals must also know:

• Marital status discrimination in rentals: A landlord cannot refuse to rent to a single person or a cohabiting unmarried couple based on marital status.
• Source of income protection: Some Wisconsin jurisdictions protect Section 8 voucher holders from discrimination.
• Age: Wisconsin protects adult renters and buyers from age-based discrimination in most housing transactions (exemptions apply to qualified senior housing communities).

Exemptions

Narrow exemptions exist under both laws: - Owner-occupied dwellings with 4 or fewer units (federal exemption only — Wisconsin has stricter rules) - Religious organization housing for members - Private clubs operating member-only housing - Senior/55+ communities that meet federal requirements

Exam Tips

Wisconsin fair housing questions frequently test the additional state protected classes, particularly sexual orientation and marital status. Know the distinction between which classes are federally protected, which are added by Wisconsin, and which prohibit specific conduct patterns. Scenario questions are common — identify the protected class and the prohibited practice.