Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, which reason is valid for an owner to refuse rental to a prospective tenant?

Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, the valid reason for an owner to refuse rental to a prospective tenant is related to previous drug addiction and bad rental history. This law prohibits discrimination based on certain protected classes, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. However, an owner is permitted to consider a tenant's past behavior that negatively impacts their ability to fulfill a rental agreement, such as a bad rental history or a history of substance abuse if it demonstrates a continuing pattern of behavior that affects their suitability as a tenant.

In contrast, reasons such as low credit score or employment status do not fall within the protected classes established by the Fair Housing Act, but they may be factors considered during the rental process, provided they are applied uniformly to all applicants. Discrimination based on race or ethnicity is explicitly prohibited under the Fair Housing Act, making it an invalid basis for refusing rental. Thus, the valid reason lies in aspects of a tenant’s past that reasonably reflect their ability to adhere to the responsibilities of a lease agreement.