Fair Housing
A Minnesota landlord has a policy of running background checks but grants exceptions only to applicants who are related to current tenants. An applicant of a different national origin who has a minor criminal record is denied while a related applicant with a similar record is approved. This is likely:
ALegitimate since landlords can offer preferences to referrals
BDiscriminatory if the national origin of the denied applicant is a factor in the decision✓ Correct
CNot discriminatory since the policy applies to all non-related applicants
DOnly problematic if there is a written policy stating the discrimination
Explanation
Even seemingly neutral policies can violate fair housing if they are applied differently based on protected class. Granting exceptions to a background check policy based on relationships (which may correlate with national origin) while denying exceptions to applicants of different national origins creates differential treatment. Fair housing law prohibits both intentional discrimination and policies with discriminatory effects.
Related Minnesota Fair Housing Questions
- The federal Fair Housing Act covers which of the following types of transactions?
- The Minnesota Human Rights Act protects marital status in housing. This means a landlord cannot discriminate against:
- Which Minnesota government body enforces the Minnesota Human Rights Act?
- The Minnesota Human Rights Act requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation example is:
- The Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) protects additional classes beyond the federal Fair Housing Act. Which of the following is a class protected under the MHRA but NOT specifically under the federal Fair Housing Act?
- Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is a permissible reason to reject a rental applicant?
- In Minnesota, which of the following is an example of housing discrimination based on national origin?
- In Minnesota, a landlord who charges a higher security deposit to a tenant with a disability (claiming higher damage risk) is committing:
Practice More Minnesota Real Estate Questions
1,500+ questions covering all exam topics. Start free — no signup required.
Take the Free Minnesota Quiz →