An Overview On Protected Classes

Protected classes, protected class age discrimination, fair housing protected classes

There might be a time, when looking for a house, or while renting out a house itself, you face some sort of discrimination from a landlord, broker, agent etc. To know whether such a thing has happened or is happening to you, you must first get an idea of what is meant by a "protected class".

Below are some questions asked commonly on the topic.

Q: What do you mean by a "protected class"?
A: A group of people bound by a common quality, protected against discrimination by the law, is a "protected class". The common link may be race, religion, color, ethnicity etc.

Q: What are the protected classes under federal law?
A: As per the Fair Housing Act, the federal law which governs housing discrimination, there are seven protected classes, namely race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status.

Q: Aren't race and color the same thing?
A: They aren't exactly the same but are slightly different. Color refers to broader perspective and may simply include dark-skinned people, regardless of what race they are.

Q: Does disability refer only to physical disabilities?
A: No. You are protected from discrimination by your landlord whether you have a physical, emotional, or a mental disability.

Q: What is covered by "familial status"?
A: Families with children i.e. with kids under the age of 18 are protected from housing discrimination. This also includes pregnant women or people who are going to adopt a child.

Q: Isn't sexual orientation a protected class?
A: Federal law does not protect people against housing discrimination based on their sexual orientation. However, the District of Columbia, several cities and towns, and the following states include sexual orientation as a protected class in their housing discrimination laws:

* California
* Connecticut
* Hawaii
* Illinois
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Minnesota
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* Rhode Island
* Vermont
* Washington
* Wisconsin