Illinois Leasing Agent Practice Exam

Landlords are prohibited from discriminating based on which factor according to Fair Housing Laws?

1. Religion

2. Annual income

3. Geographical location

4. Criminal background

The correct answer is: Religion

Fair Housing Laws are designed to prevent discrimination in housing practices based on certain protected characteristics. One of the key factors that landlords are explicitly prohibited from discriminating against is religion. This means that a landlord cannot refuse to rent or apply different rental terms to a prospective tenant simply because of their religious beliefs or practices. This protection is part of a broader commitment to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to housing, regardless of their personal beliefs, thereby promoting diversity and preventing discriminatory practices in the housing market. The inclusion of religion as a protected characteristic is rooted in the recognition of the importance of freedom of religion in society. Other factors, such as annual income, geographical location, and criminal background, while they may affect the ability to rent in practice, do not fall under the same legal protections as religion in the context of Fair Housing Laws. Annual income can be related to the landlord's ability to assess a tenant's financial capability, geographical location can pertain to market conditions and availability, and criminal background checks are often a standard procedure for many landlords to evaluate potential risks associated with leasing. However, these factors are generally considered within the purview of the landlord's operational discretion unless they intersect with protected classes, which is not covered under the same strict prohibitions outlined