Fair Housing Basics
The core fair-housing rules that apply when advertising, screening, and leasing on Seayora.
Fair-housing law protects renters from discrimination, and it applies to how you advertise, screen, and lease.
The essentials
- Never make housing decisions based on a protected class.
- Describe the property, not the ideal tenant, in advertising.
- Apply the same criteria to every applicant.
- Check your state and city for additional protected categories.
You are solely responsible for your compliance. Violations can lead to content removal and account termination. See the Fair Housing page for more.
Training your team
If more than one person at your business handles listings, applications, or leasing decisions, make sure everyone applies the same criteria the same way — inconsistent handling by one team member creates risk for the whole business.
Frequently asked questions
Does fair housing law apply to renters too, not just landlords?
Fair housing obligations primarily fall on landlords, agents, and anyone advertising or making leasing decisions. Renters are protected by the law rather than bound by these specific obligations.
What if my state has additional protected classes?
Apply the broadest set of protections that applies to you — federal law sets a floor, and many states and cities add categories like source of income or sexual orientation.
What should I do if I receive a fair-housing complaint?
Take it seriously, document what happened, and consult counsel promptly — how you respond can matter as much as the original conduct in question.