North Carolina Fair Housing
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Fair housing is tested on every real estate exam in the country, but North Carolina candidates must know both federal and state-level protections. While North Carolina enforces the seven federal protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability), the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC) also tests how these protections apply in North Carolina-specific rental, sales, and advertising scenarios. 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.

Practice Questions

North Carolina Fair Housing — Practice Questions & Answers

113 questions on Fair Housing from the North Carolina real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 113.

Q1. North Carolina's fair housing laws protect all seven federal protected classes plus:

A.No additional classes
B.Sexual orientation and gender identity
C.Source of income
D.Age and marital status

Explanation

North Carolina's state fair housing law protects the same seven classes as federal law (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability) without additional protected classes at the state level.

Q2. A property manager refuses to rent to a tenant because they use a wheelchair. Which law is violated?

A.The Americans with Disabilities Act only
B.The Fair Housing Act — discrimination based on disability
C.The North Carolina Building Code
D.RESPA

Explanation

Refusing to rent to someone because they use a wheelchair is discrimination based on disability, which is prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act.

Q3. Under the Fair Housing Act, an advertisement that specifies 'Christians preferred' is:

A.Legal as a personal preference statement
B.Illegal because it expresses a preference based on religion, a protected class
C.Legal if the owner lives on the premises
D.Legal only for single-family homes

Explanation

Advertising a preference for or against any person based on a protected class — including religion — is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, regardless of property type or owner-occupancy.

Q4. Which of the following is an example of reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act?

A.A landlord installing an elevator at tenant expense
B.Waiving a no-pets policy for a tenant with a documented need for an assistance animal
C.Allowing a tenant to sublet without approval
D.Reducing the security deposit for all tenants

Explanation

A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, or practices to allow a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing. Waiving a no-pets policy for an assistance animal is a common example.

Q5. The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination based on all of the following EXCEPT:

A.Race
B.National origin
C.Sexual orientation
D.Religion

Explanation

The original Fair Housing Act covers race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. Sexual orientation is protected under the Fair Housing Act as interpreted post-2021 per HUD guidance, but was not in the original 1968 Act. Note: NC state law may differ.

Q6. Steering in real estate means:

A.Directing buyers toward or away from neighborhoods based on protected characteristics
B.Helping buyers navigate the mortgage process
C.Recommending a specific title company
D.Guiding a client through the home inspection process

Explanation

Steering is the illegal practice of directing buyers to or away from neighborhoods based on their race, religion, or other protected characteristics.

Q7. Blockbusting is an illegal practice where:

A.A builder constructs homes too quickly
B.An agent induces homeowners to sell by suggesting that protected classes are moving into the area
C.A lender denies loans in certain zip codes
D.A landlord raises rent based on tenant's nationality

Explanation

Blockbusting (panic selling) involves inducing owners to sell or rent by implying that the entry of members of a protected class will negatively affect property values.

Q8. Redlining in mortgage lending involves:

A.Offering lower interest rates to certain neighborhoods
B.Refusing to make loans in certain geographic areas based on the racial composition
C.Requiring higher down payments for VA loans
D.Marking flood zones on a map

Explanation

Redlining is the illegal practice of refusing to make loans or provide insurance in neighborhoods based on their racial or ethnic composition.

Q9. Under the Fair Housing Act, a person with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation. This means:

A.Structural alterations to the property at the landlord's expense
B.A change in rules, policies, or practices to allow equal opportunity to use the housing
C.Free parking in any location they choose
D.Priority placement on a waiting list

Explanation

A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, practices, or services that may be necessary to afford a person with a disability equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing.

Q10. A landlord in North Carolina refuses to rent to a family with three children citing building safety concerns. This most likely violates which protected class?

A.Race
B.Religion
C.Familial status
D.Disability

Explanation

Familial status (families with children under 18) is a protected class. Refusing to rent to families with children—unless the housing qualifies as lawful senior housing—is a Fair Housing violation.

Q11. Which of the following is an example of a reasonable modification under the Fair Housing Act?

A.Landlord repays tenant for carpet replacement
B.Tenant installs grab bars in the bathroom at their own expense
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