California Fair Housing
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Fair housing is tested on every real estate exam in the country, but California candidates must know both federal and state-level protections. California extends fair housing protections beyond the seven federal protected classes, adding additional categories under state law that are specifically tested on the CA state exam. Steering, blockbusting, redlining, and discriminatory advertising are all tested — and candidates who think they know fair housing cold often miss the state-specific extensions or the nuanced application scenarios. Review every question here carefully.
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California Fair Housing — Practice Questions & Answers
119 questions on Fair Housing from the California real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 119.
Q1. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, which of the following is a protected class?
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act protects: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.
Q2. California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) adds which protected class NOT in the federal Fair Housing Act?
Explanation
California adds several protections beyond federal law, including source of income, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ancestry.
Q3. 'Steering' in real estate refers to:
Explanation
Steering is an illegal practice where agents direct buyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on race, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Q4. 'Blockbusting' is best defined as:
Explanation
Blockbusting (panic selling) is an illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell by suggesting that minorities or other groups are moving into the area, thereby lowering property values.
Q5. Which act prohibits discrimination in residential mortgage lending?
Explanation
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) prohibits discrimination in lending based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or receipt of public assistance.
Q6. What is 'redlining'?
Explanation
Redlining is the illegal practice of refusing loans, insurance, or other services to people in certain geographic areas based on race or other protected characteristics, regardless of individual qualifications.
Q7. Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is NOT a protected class?
Explanation
The seven federal protected classes are: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. Occupation is NOT a federally protected class.
Q8. A landlord may legally ask which of the following questions of a prospective tenant?
Explanation
Landlords may ask about income, rental history, credit, and ability to pay rent. Asking about marital status, children (familial status), or national origin violates fair housing laws.
Q9. A disabled tenant requests that their landlord allow them to install grab bars in the bathroom. The landlord must:
Explanation
Fair housing law requires landlords to allow disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications at the tenant's expense. The landlord may require restoration of the property to original condition upon move-out.
Q10. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) primarily applies to:
Explanation
The ADA primarily applies to commercial facilities and public accommodations (stores, offices, hotels, etc.). The Fair Housing Act covers residential properties for disability protections.
Q11. Which federal law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability?
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