Chapter 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Fair housing is not just “nice to have”— it’s the law. Fair housing practices are established by local, state, and national laws and regulations, and the judicial system actively enforces them.

2 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Learning objectives –Identify the classes of people who are protected against discrimination in housing by various federal laws –Describe how the Fair Housing Act is enforced –List the exemptions allowed in the Fair Housing Act –Explain how fair housing laws address a variety of discriminatory practices and regulate real estate advertising –Distinguish the protections offered by the Fair Housing Act, the Housing and Community Development Act, the Fair Housing Amendments Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act

3 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Equal opportunity –Civil Rights Act of 1866 –Fair Housing Act –HUD –Housing Familial status Disability Racial discrimination—Jones v. Mayer –Prohibited actions –Exemptions to the Fair Housing Act Housing for older persons

4 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Other federal laws –Megan’s Law –Equal Credit Opportunity Act –Americans with Disabilities Act

5 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Georgia Fair Housing Law Substantially similar to Federal Fair Housing Act of 1988 Purposes of Law –Safeguard people from discrimination –Eliminate discrimination in sale, rental, financing, brokerage –Protect personal dignity and freedom from humiliation It is Unlawful to: –Refuse to sell or rent after a bona fide offer based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin (RCRSDFN) –Show preference or discrimination based on RCRSDFN –Blockbusting, steering

6 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Fair housing issues –Blockbusting –Steering –Advertising –Appraising –Redlining –Intent and effect –Response to concerns of terrorism

7 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Enforcement of the Fair Housing Act –HUD enforcement –State and local agencies –Threats or acts of violence Implications for brokers and salespeople

8 ©2013 Kaplan, Inc. 20 Fair Housing and Ethical Practices Professional conduct and ethics –Ethics defined –National Association of R EALTORS ® (NAR) Code of Ethics