Which statement best defines disparate treatment in the context of housing and appraisal?

• A. Disparate treatment occurs when an appraiser intentionally treats a person differently because of a protected characteristic.
• B. Disparate treatment requires malice or prejudice to occur.
• C. Disparate treatment refers to neutral policies that have no discriminatory effect.
• D. Disparate treatment occurs only in employment, not in real estate.

Answer: (A)

Disparate treatment means intentionally treating someone differently because of a protected characteristic. In housing and appraisal, this is when an appraiser or housing professional acts with the motive to discriminate based on protected status such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. The statement in the option matches this idea exactly—the discrimination is purposeful and tied to a protected characteristic.

The other ideas don’t fit because: discrimination that requires malice or prejudice isn’t a necessary element; the law focuses on the decision and its basis, not the offender’s inner feelings. Neutral policies that have no discriminatory effect describe disparate impact, which is a different concept. And disparate treatment can occur in housing and real estate, not only in employment.