Illinois Leasing Agent Practice Exam

A prospective tenant who is 18 years old suspects age discrimination. Which statement is correct?

1. It is a protected class under federal law

2. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 protects all ages

3. Age is protected under state law for those under the age of 40

4. Age is not a protected class under federal law

The correct answer is: Age is not a protected class under federal law

The statement that "age is not a protected class under federal law" is accurate in the context of housing and rental practices. Under the Fair Housing Act, which governs housing discrimination in the United States, age is not included as a protected characteristic. This means that while other factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability are protected, age does not fall under this umbrella at the federal level. However, it is important to note that some state laws, including those in Illinois, may offer protections against age discrimination, particularly for individuals who are under the age of 40. Still, at the federal level, the statement holds true that age alone is not a legally recognized protected class, and thus individuals can't claim age discrimination under federal law in housing situations. In this case, the other statements do not accurately reflect the protections provided by federal law or misinterpret the scope of existing regulations. For instance, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 primarily relates to age discrimination in federally funded programs rather than housing practices, and therefore it does not apply directly to the housing context in the same way the choice regarding federal protection does.