FACTS:

The property manager REALTOR® received a rental application from four college students.  The property owner does not want to rent to college students. 

ISSUE:

Would it be illegal discrimination to refuse to rent to the college students?

ANSWER:

See Discussion. 

DISCUSSION:         

College students are not a protected class under the Fair Housing Act.  The landlord is therefore able to refuse the rental without violating the Fair Housing Act as long as the policy is/was uniformly implemented against ALL college students regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or gender identity.  If the landlord hadn’t previously inquired whether potential tenants were college students, or made exceptions to the policy, the landlord may want to seek legal counsel prior to denying the application.