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The purpose of the fair housing laws is to protect a
person's right to own, sell, purchase, or rent housing of his or her choice without fear
of unlawful discrimination. The fair housing laws are intended to allow everyone equal
access to housing. State and Federal fair housing laws prohibit discrimination in the
housing market on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, or
familial status. To discriminate against a person on the basis of his or her membership in
one of these protected categories is against the law.
This information will focus primarily on the fair housing
laws as they are applied in the State of North Carolina.
Q: Do the
fair housing laws apply to all housing transactions?
A: Yes, except for the following limited
exemptions:
- The rental of a unit in a multi-family dwelling with not
more than four units where the owner (or a member of the owner's family) lives in one of
the units
- The rental of a room or rooms in a private house where the
owner (or a member of the owner's family) lives in the house
- Lodging owned or operated by private clubs which give
preference to their members
- Religious, charitable, or educational institutions or
organizations which are operated, supervised, or controlled by religious institutions or
organizations that give preference in real estate transactions to their members, provided
the organization does not exclude members of a protected category
- Single-sex dormitories
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