Question 110

The landlord who occupies one-half of a duplex can refuse to rent the other half to an unmarried couple.

Federal fair housing laws provide specific protections against discrimination based on certain characteristics, but they do allow for some exemptions. A landlord who occupies one-half of a duplex may have the right to refuse to rent to an unmarried couple, as the law does not apply in certain owner-occupied scenarios.

A) The landlord can evict a tenant for having minority friends.

This option is incorrect as it contradicts federal fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and other protected classes. Evicting a tenant for their friends' minority status would be considered discriminatory and illegal.

B) The landlord who occupies one-half of a duplex can refuse to rent the other half to an unmarried couple.

This option is correct. Under the Fair Housing Act, there are exemptions for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, allowing the landlord to refuse rental based on marital status in such situations.

C) The landlord can refuse to rent to a financially qualified married couple.

This statement is incorrect as it violates federal fair housing laws. A landlord cannot refuse to rent to a financially qualified couple based on their marital status or any discriminatory reason.

D) The landlord can refuse to rent to pregnant women.

This option is incorrect. Discrimination based on pregnancy is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act, as it is considered a form of discrimination based on sex.

Conclusion

The correct answer, B, is valid due to the specific exemptions allowed for owner-occupied properties under federal fair housing laws. All other options incorrectly interpret the law by suggesting discriminatory practices that are prohibited. The core concept being tested is the understanding of lawful exceptions within federal fair housing regulations, making option B the only accurate choice.