Vermont Fair Housing
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Fair housing is tested on every real estate exam in the country, but Vermont candidates must know both federal and state-level protections. While Vermont enforces the seven federal protected classes (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability), the Vermont Real Estate Commission also tests how these protections apply in Vermont-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.
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Vermont Fair Housing — Practice Questions & Answers
109 questions on Fair Housing from the Vermont real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 109.
Q1. Vermont's Fair Housing and Public Accommodations Act provides protections BEYOND the federal Fair Housing Act, including protections based on:
Explanation
Vermont's state Fair Housing law provides broader protections than the federal act, including prohibitions on discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other characteristics not covered under federal law.
Q2. A Vermont landlord refuses to rent to a person because of their religion. The landlord may be found in violation of:
Explanation
Religion is a protected class under both the federal Fair Housing Act and Vermont's Fair Housing law. A landlord who refuses to rent based on religion may face complaints and enforcement under both laws.
Q3. A tenant with a physical disability requests permission to install a ramp at the entrance to their unit. The landlord refuses. Under the Fair Housing Act, the landlord:
Explanation
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to permit persons with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to their unit or common areas, at the tenant's expense, if needed to accommodate their disability. Refusing such a request is a violation.
Q4. A Vermont real estate agent who consistently shows minority buyers properties only in certain neighborhoods while showing white buyers the full range of available homes is engaging in:
Explanation
Steering is the illegal practice of directing prospective buyers or renters toward or away from particular neighborhoods based on their race, color, national origin, or other protected characteristics. It is a violation of Fair Housing laws.
Q5. The federal Fair Housing Act was enacted in which year?
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act was enacted in 1968 as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. It prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, and sex (and later, disability and familial status).
Q6. Which of the following is NOT a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act?
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act protects: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status. Sexual orientation is NOT a federally protected class under the FHA, although it is protected under Vermont state law.
Q7. Blockbusting is the illegal practice of:
Explanation
Blockbusting (panic peddling) involves persuading property owners to sell by suggesting that the arrival of people of a particular race, religion, or other protected class will cause property values to decline. It is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act.
Q8. A Vermont landlord who refuses to rent to a family with three children under age 18 may be in violation of the protected class of:
Explanation
Familial status is a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act and Vermont law. It protects families with children under 18 from housing discrimination. Refusing to rent to a family because they have children violates this protection.
Q9. A Vermont real estate licensee who receives a complaint of fair housing violations should:
Explanation
Fair housing complaints may be filed with HUD (federal) or the Vermont Human Rights Commission (state). A licensee who receives a fair housing complaint should not attempt to handle it personally — they should refer the complainant to the appropriate agency and notify their broker.
Q10. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which buildings are required to be accessible to persons with disabilities?
Explanation
The ADA applies to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities. Residential housing accessibility requirements are primarily governed by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, which applies to covered multifamily dwellings.
Q11. A Vermont seller instructs their agent to only show the home to buyers of a specific national origin. The agent should:
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