What does familial status prohibit in housing practices?

• A. Discrimination based on whether a household includes children under 18 or is pregnant.
• B. Requiring income verification for all applicants
• C. Charging higher rent for families
• D. Limiting occupancy to one person per bedroom

Answer: (A)

Familial status is a protected characteristic under the Fair Housing Act, covering households with children under 18 and pregnant individuals. This means housing providers may not treat someone differently in renting, selling, or in the terms and conditions of housing, simply because children are present or a pregnancy exists. They also can’t advertise or impose policies that exclude or disadvantage families with children. Income verification and general occupancy policies aren’t defined by familial status, though any policy aimed at families solely because they have children would be discriminatory. The core idea is that discrimination based on whether a household includes children under 18 or is pregnant is prohibited.