Which practice is considered a violation of fair housing laws in advertising?

In the context of fair housing laws, the practice of stating a preference for tenants with no children is a violation because it discriminates against families with children, which is prohibited under the Fair Housing Act. This federal law aims to eliminate discrimination in housing practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability.

Familial status protects individuals with children under the age of 18, and therefore, advertising that explicitly excludes families with children reinforces societal stereotypes and denies equal housing opportunities to those families.

In contrast, promoting properties in diverse neighborhoods and emphasizing proximity to local schools are practices that can actually enhance housing opportunity and community inclusiveness, making them compliant with fair housing laws. Marketing a home near a popular church may raise concerns about religious preference but does not directly violate fair housing laws unless it discriminates against specific religious groups.