Chapter 1
Virginia Real Estate Law & Agency
Course: Virginia Real Estate Exam Prep
Subject: Virginia State Salesperson Exam Prep
Chapter: Fair Housing Amp Ethics
Protected Classes and Evolving Definitions:
- Sex: This now explicitly includes sexual orientation and gender identity, as established by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision and subsequent HUD enforcement guidance. This means denying housing to a same-sex couple or a transgender individual because of their identity is illegal sex discrimination under federal law.
- Familial Status: This protects families with children under 18, pregnant women, and persons in the process of securing legal custody (e.g., adoption, foster care). A policy like "no children under 12" or "adults-only" in a standard apartment complex is illegal. The primary exemption is housing for older persons (55+ communities), which must meet strict HUD criteria regarding the number of occupants age 55+.
- Disability: Defined broadly as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes visible disabilities (mobility) and invisible ones (chronic illness, PTSD, autism).