Exam topics · Tennessee
Protected classes, the practices that violate the law even without intent, and the advertising language that gets licensees disciplined.
Fair housing questions punish good intentions. The scenario usually shows a licensee being helpful — answering a question about schools, matching a buyer to a neighborhood 'they will like' — and the correct answer is that the helpful act was a violation.
Memorize them cold. Every fair housing question begins by asking, silently, whether a protected class is involved.
These names show up verbatim in answer choices, so know which behavior maps to which term.
The test is whether an ordinary reader would perceive a preference. 'Perfect for a young couple,' 'ideal family neighborhood,' 'walking distance to First Baptist,' and 'no children' are all violations. Describe the property, never the desired occupant.
A reasonable accommodation is a change in rules or policy — allowing a service animal in a no-pets building. A reasonable modification is a physical change to the premises, generally at the tenant's expense. Exam questions test which word applies.
Redirect to objective, published data sources. Any characterization of residents is steering.
Effect controls, not intent. A helpful, well-meaning act can still be a violation.
Service and assistance animals are an accommodation issue, not a pet issue, and pet fees generally cannot be charged.
Limited exemptions exist for certain owner-occupied and private transactions, but those exemptions are lost the moment a licensee is involved or discriminatory advertising is used.
Point them to published, objective sources and let them evaluate. Characterizing schools is a common back door into steering.
No. State and local law can add protected classes beyond the federal list, and licensees must comply with the strictest applicable rule.
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