Definition
A federal law prohibiting housing discrimination, which HOAs must follow in their rules, enforcement, and accommodations.
The Fair Housing Act is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on protected classes including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. It applies to HOAs.
In practice, boards must avoid rules or enforcement that discriminate, and must reasonably accommodate residents with disabilities — for example, permitting assistance animals despite a no-pet rule, or approving accessibility modifications. Fair-housing missteps carry serious liability, so boards should tread carefully and seek guidance when questions arise.