![]() These are words or phrases that have been associated with discriminatory practices in the past. There are certain “buzz” words you should still avoid. However, using phrases such as “great view,” “walk-in closets” or “walk to bus stop” is acceptable. Obviously statements such as “no wheelchairs” are illegal. There are even words that are restricted when it comes to people with disabilities. Fair Housing Advertising Words and Phrases List – Complimentary Download And while religious discrimination is illegal, using words like “kosher meals served on the premises,” or including phrases such as “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Easter” in an ad is not discriminatory either. While advertisements cannot state a preference or limitation based on race or color, statements such as “master bedroom” and “desirable neighborhood” are not illegal. HUD provides Fair Housing advertising guidelines as to what is acceptable in Fair Housing advertising. It is also illegal to advertise for a “Christian roommate,” or to indicate any other type of religious preference. Believe it or not, it is still fairly common to see a “no children, no pets” ad. The law says you can’t use “words, phrases, photographs, illustrations, symbols or forms of any kind” which tend to give the impression that your property is available (or not available) only to certain types of people. The lesson here? Wipe the dust off of your policies and procedures and make sure they are up to date with current Fair Housing advertising regulations. (How many condominium documents still prohibit anyone under 16 years of age from living there, although that kind of “statement” has been illegal for many years?) Policies and ProceduresĬondominiums, apartment complexes and mobile home parks that have written rules and regulations have always been fertile breeding grounds for Fair Housing advertising violations. However, all of the pictures are of white, young, “yuppies ” none of the pictures shows children, or persons of differing races or nationalities.Īs you can see it does not take much for a statement to be taken out of context or representation to be misinterpreted. Here are two examples of illegal advertising that you may not have realized were violations of the Fair Housing Act.Ī maintenance man tells a passer-by that “only real Americans” lived in the apartment complex where he worked.Ī rental office is decorated with many large pictures of the residents participating in the community’s facilities and amenities such as exercising in the weight room, swimming, and playing volley ball and tennis. Expressing an illegal preference or limitation to one of your fellow agents, brokers, employees, prospective sellers, renters, or to any other person in connection with the sale or rental of your property is illegal. It also means that the things you say about your property in writing, over the phone or in person are covered. that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.” That includes such things as applications, flyers, brochures, deeds, signs, banners, posters, billboards, and even pictures in your office. The law says you can’t “make, print, or publish. Take a moment and please subscribe to our YouTube Channel Fair Housing Advertising MediaĪdvertising under the Fair Housing Act doesn’t just mean ads in newspapers. Fair Housing advertising involves every member of your team. In case you’re asking yourself why you should read this particular article, the fact is that if you work in the housing industry, you need to know your responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act, because regardless of your position, you are probably “advertising” every day. HUD provides advertising guidelines for compliance which this article covers. Fair Housing issues and violations are more common than you may think. Fair Housing advertising guidelines are a must when developing your marketing and advertising content.
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