Under the Fair Housing Act, what is prohibited in housing practices?

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. This legislation was enacted to ensure equal access to housing for all individuals and to eliminate discriminatory practices that may disadvantage certain groups. Such discrimination can manifest in various forms, including refusing to sell or rent housing, offering different terms or conditions, or even making advertising decisions that favor one group over another. By prohibiting discrimination based on the listed characteristics, the Fair Housing Act aims to create a more equitable housing market where everyone has the right to secure housing without facing bias or unequal treatment.

While functions like credit checks, down payment requirements, and loan terms are important aspects of the mortgage process, they do not inherently involve the discriminatory practices targeted by the Fair Housing Act unless they are applied in a biased manner against specific groups.