North Dakota Fair Housing
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)

Fair housing is tested on every real estate exam in the country, but North Dakota candidates must know both federal and state-level protections. While North Dakota enforces the seven federal protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability), the North Dakota Real Estate Commission also tests how these protections apply in North Dakota-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 Dakota Fair Housing — Practice Questions & Answers

111 questions on Fair Housing from the North Dakota real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 111.

Q1. The Fair Housing Act exempts certain properties from its coverage. Which of the following is an exempt property?

A.A 20-unit apartment building managed by a broker
B.A single-family home sold by the owner without using a real estate agent, with no discriminatory advertising
C.A 4-unit building where the owner does not live
D.Any property sold by a real estate agent

Explanation

The Fair Housing Act exempts single-family homes sold or rented by the owner (without a broker and without discriminatory advertising) from its provisions. This is sometimes called the 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption for small owner-occupied buildings.

Q2. Which federal agency enforces the Fair Housing Act?

A.The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
B.The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
C.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
D.The Department of Justice (DOJ) only

Explanation

HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) is the primary federal agency that enforces the Fair Housing Act. Complaints can also be filed in federal court.

Q3. Which of the following is NOT a requirement for 'qualified senior housing' to be exempt from the familial status protected class?

A.At least 80% of units must be occupied by at least one person 55 or older
B.The housing must publish and follow policies demonstrating intent to house persons 55+
C.All residents must be 62 or older
D.The housing must be registered with HUD

Explanation

The 55+ senior housing exemption (Housing for Older Persons Act) requires that 80% of units have at least one resident 55 or older, NOT that all residents be 62 or older. The 62+ requirement applies to a stricter exemption for all-resident senior housing.

Q4. An agent advertises a listing using phrases that suggest the property is ideal for a specific national origin group. This is:

A.Legal if it helps attract qualified buyers
B.Illegal — discriminatory advertising based on national origin
C.Legal as long as all groups are mentioned equally
D.Only illegal if it results in actual discrimination

Explanation

Advertising that expresses a preference for or against any person based on a protected class, including national origin, is a violation of the Fair Housing Act, regardless of intent.

Q5. Under the Fair Housing Act, 'familial status' protects:

A.Married couples only
B.Families with children under age 18
C.Single parents only
D.Grandparents raising grandchildren only

Explanation

The familial status protected class covers families with children under 18, including parents, legal guardians, and persons who are pregnant or in the process of obtaining legal custody of a child.

Q6. Steering occurs when a real estate agent:

A.Drives buyers to view properties
B.Directs buyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on protected class characteristics
C.Recommends a neighborhood based on school quality
D.Provides information about crime statistics in an area

Explanation

Steering is the illegal practice of directing buyers or renters toward or away from specific neighborhoods, developments, or properties based on their race, religion, national origin, or other protected class characteristics.

Q7. Blockbusting is the practice of:

A.Purchasing multiple foreclosed properties in one area
B.Inducing homeowners to sell by suggesting that members of a protected class are moving into the neighborhood
C.Refusing to show properties to members of protected classes
D.Charging higher rents to members of protected classes

Explanation

Blockbusting (also called panic selling or panic peddling) is the illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell by making representations that members of a protected class are moving into the neighborhood.

Q8. What is the maximum civil penalty for a first violation of the Fair Housing Act?

A.$10,000
B.$16,000
C.$21,410
D.$50,000

Explanation

Civil penalties for Fair Housing Act violations are periodically adjusted for inflation. The maximum penalty for a first violation is approximately $21,410 (amounts are periodically adjusted by HUD).

Q9. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) primarily applies to:

A.All residential housing
B.Commercial facilities and public accommodations
C.Only federally subsidized housing
D.Only new construction built after 1992

Explanation

The ADA applies to commercial facilities and public accommodations, requiring them to be accessible to people with disabilities. The Fair Housing Act addresses disability accommodations for residential housing.

Q10. Which of the following is a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for a person with a disability?

A.Allowing a tenant to make structural modifications at their own expense
B.Allowing a tenant with a disability to have a service animal despite a no-pets policy
C.Reducing rent for tenants with disabilities
D.Providing a ground-floor unit at a premium price

Explanation

A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules, policies, or practices to allow a person with a disability to use and enjoy the housing. Allowing a service animal despite a no-pets policy is a classic example.

Q11. Under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord may legally refuse to rent to a prospective tenant who:

A.Has a service animal
B.Has minor children
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