Fair housing when writing a property listing

Describe the property, never the tenant you are hoping for. Federal fair housing law makes it unlawful to advertise a preference, a limitation or a discrimination about who lives in a dwelling, and Jinu screens property listings for it before they publish.

Why this rule is stricter than it feels

It applies to the advertisement, not only to who you eventually choose. A phrase that describes your ideal occupant is unlawful in a listing even when you would have considered anybody who applied, and even when the phrase seems friendly. That is the part that catches honest landlords out.

Phrases that will stop your listing

• No kids, no children, no families, no infants, no minors, adults only, childless.
• Singles only, couples only.
• Men only, women only, male tenant preferred, single female preferred.
• Any religion, nationality, ethnicity or citizenship named as preferred or excluded, including citizens only and English speaking preferred.
• No section 8, no housing vouchers, no government assistance.
• Anything excluding a disability, a wheelchair, or a service animal.

Protected characteristics under the federal act are race, color, religion, national origin, sex including gender identity and sexual orientation, familial status, and disability. State and local law protects more in many places, source of income among them.

Say the same thing lawfully

• Instead of "adults only" or "no kids", state the facts: "one bedroom, 480 square feet, third floor walk-up, no elevator". Let people decide whether it suits them.
• Instead of "no section 8", say nothing. Refusing a voucher outright is unlawful in a growing number of states, and it is not something to advertise anywhere.
• Instead of "ideal for a quiet professional", describe the building: "quiet building, no shared walls with the living room, workspace nook".
• Instead of "no service animals", remember that a service animal is not a pet under fair housing law. A no-pets policy does not extend to one.

If your listing was held

A property listing that matches one of these patterns is held for a person to review rather than published, and false positives are accepted on purpose because the alternative is publishing a discriminatory advert. Edit the wording out, and wait for the review to release it. The $3 is not refunded for a listing that is held or removed.

The full policy is at Prohibited and restricted items, under housing, jobs and services.