PSI Oklahoma Real Estate Practice Test

Under the Fair Housing Law, which action is considered legal regarding renting to B, who is 45 and lacks income?

1. Declining to rent due to lack of income

2. Rejecting based on age

3. Looking for a co-signer

4. Offering a reduced rent

The correct answer is: Declining to rent due to lack of income

The Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination based on specific protected characteristics, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. However, it does not prevent landlords from making rental decisions based on reasonable financial criteria, such as income verification. In this scenario, declining to rent to B based on a lack of income is legal because it relates to the tenant's financial qualifications rather than a protected characteristic. Landlords have the right to ensure that prospective tenants can meet the financial obligations of the lease, and a lack of income can indicate that a tenant may not be able to pay rent consistently, posing a risk to the landlord's financial interests. Other options involve actions that may contravene the Fair Housing Law. Rejecting an applicant based on age goes against protections for individuals, which can lead to discriminatory practices. Looking for a co-signer may be seen as a supportive step but can raise concerns about how the initial applicant was treated, especially if not appropriately communicated. Offering a reduced rent could lead to complications regarding fair housing if it is seen as an unequal treatment based on factors other than financial need. Thus, the decision to decline renting to B solely based on the lack of income aligns with the rights of landlords under fair housing