Virginia Fair Housing
Practice Questions & Answers (2026)
Fair housing is tested on every real estate exam in the country, but Virginia candidates must know both federal and state-level protections. Virginia extends fair housing protections beyond the seven federal protected classes, adding additional categories under state law that are specifically tested on the VA 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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Virginia Fair Housing — Practice Questions & Answers
107 questions on Fair Housing from the Virginia real estate question bank. First 10 are free — sign up to unlock all 107.
Q1. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on all of the following EXCEPT:
Explanation
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. Occupation is not a protected class under federal law.
Q2. A Virginia real estate agent tells a prospective buyer that a particular neighborhood 'might not be the right fit' based on the buyer's national origin. This is an example of:
Explanation
Steering is the illegal practice of directing buyers toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on a protected class characteristic such as national origin, race, or religion.
Q3. Under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord is required to allow a tenant with a disability to:
Explanation
The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to permit tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications to the unit at the tenant's own expense. The landlord may require restoration upon move-out.
Q4. Which of the following Virginia advertising practices would violate the Fair Housing Act?
Explanation
Using models of only one race in advertising creates an impression that people of other races are not welcome, which violates the Fair Housing Act's prohibition on discriminatory advertising.
Q5. The Virginia Fair Housing Law covers more protected classes than the federal Fair Housing Act. Which class is protected under Virginia law but NOT under the federal act?
Explanation
Virginia's Fair Housing Law includes 'source of funds' (including housing vouchers/Section 8) as a protected class, which is not protected under the federal Fair Housing Act.
Q6. Steering in real estate violates fair housing laws because it:
Explanation
Steering is the illegal practice of directing prospective buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on their race, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics.
Q7. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, a landlord may refuse to rent to a person with a disability who:
Explanation
A landlord may refuse to rent to any person—including those with disabilities—who poses a direct, documented threat to the safety of others that cannot be reduced by reasonable accommodation.
Q8. Blockbusting is an illegal practice where a real estate professional:
Explanation
Blockbusting (also called panic selling) is the illegal practice of inducing homeowners to sell by making representations that persons of a protected class are entering the neighborhood, playing on fear to generate listings.
Q9. Under the Fair Housing Act, a person who believes they have been discriminated against must file a complaint with HUD within:
Explanation
A fair housing complaint must be filed with HUD within one year of the alleged discriminatory act. The complainant may also file directly in federal court within two years.
Q10. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, which of the following advertising practices is permissible?
Explanation
Advertising property features and location with photos of the home is permissible. Using only same-race models, code words for religion, or 'no children' (familial status) all violate fair housing laws.
Q11. A Virginia landlord refuses to allow a tenant with a disability to have an emotional support animal despite the building's no-pets policy. This likely violates:
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