Federal, State, and local Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Laws provide comprehensive protections against discrimination in housing. It is unlawful for any property owner, landlord, property manager, or other person involved in the sale, rental, or lease of housing to discriminate based on certain protected characteristics. These include, but are not limited to:
- Race
- Creed
- Color
- National origin
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Military status
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
- Marital status
- Lawful source of income
- Familial status
The following list provides general guidelines for words and phrases that are prohibited in listing descriptions, as they may be construed as discriminatory. The list serves as a guide, but other unlisted items also apply.
| Able-bodied | HIV | Religious reference |
| Adult community* | Homosexual | Responsible |
| Adult friendly | Hungarian | Restricted |
| Adult living* | Impaired, no | Retarded, no |
| Adults only* | Indian | Safe neighborhood |
| Adults preferred | Integrated | Seasonal workers, no |
| African | Irish | Section 8, no |
| African Americans | Islamic | Senior discount, no* |
| Agile | Italian | Sex or gender |
| AIDS | Jewish | Shrine |
| Alcoholics, no | Landlord, (description) | Single friendly |
| American Indian | Latino | Single woman, man |
| Appalachian Asian | Lesbian(s) | Singles |
| Asian | LGBTQ | Singles only |
| Bachelor | LINC | Singles preferred |
| Black(s) | Low income | Smoker(s), no |
| Blind | Male(s), man, men only | Social Security |
| Board approval required** | Married | Insurance/SSI |
| Buddhist | Mature couple | Spanish speaking |
| Cash assistance | Mature individual | Stable |
| Catholic | Mature person(s) | Straight, only |
| Caucasian | Membership approval | Synagogue |
| Chicano | required** | Temple |
| Child(ren), (number of) | Mentally disabled, no | Tenant(s), description of |
| Children, no | Mentally ill, no | Transgender |
| Chinese | Mexican | Two people |
| Christian | Mexican-American | Unemployed, no |
| Church (es), near | Migrant workers, no | Verifiable income |
| Citizens only | Mormon Temple | Wheelchairs, no |
| Colored | Mosque | White |
| Couples only | Muslim | White only |
| Criminal Records, no | Must comply with… | Woman (women) only |
| Crippled, no | Nationality | Caution Words |
| Deaf, no | Negro | 55 and older |
| Disability | Newlyweds | community* |
| Disabled | Non alcoholics | 62 and older* |
| Disabled, not suitable for | Updated March 2025 | Active |
| Employed, must be | Non drinker(s) | Close to… |
| Employment verification | Non married | College students, no |
| Empty nesters | Non-citizen | Country club, near |
| English only | Non-drinkers | Credit check required |
| Ethnic references | Not suitable for… | Domestic’s quarters |
| Exclusive (i.e. | Older person(s) | Fisherman’s retreat |
| neighborhood) | One child | Gentleman’s farm |
| Executive | One child only | Handicap |
| Family | One person | Handyman’s dream |
| Family, great for | Oriental | Ideal for… |
| Females(s) only | Parish | Mother-in-law apt. |
| FHEPS | Paystub required | Nanny’s room |
| Gay friendly | Philippine | Near… |
| Gay(s) | Physically fit only | Older person(s) |
| Gender | Play area, no | One person |
| Golden agers only | Polish | Perfect for… |
| Grandma’s house | Preferred community | Person(s), (number of) |
| Group homes | Programs, no | Pets, no |
| Handicapped, not for | Protestant | Prestigious |
| Healthy only | Public assistance, no | Private |
| Heterosexual | Puerto Rican | Quality neighborhood |
| Hindu | Queer | Retired retiree(s) |
| Hispanic | Quiet Tenants | Retirement home |
NOTE: All caution words will be unacceptable if used in a context that states an unlawful preference or limitation.
Furthermore, all caution words may be “red flags” to fair housing enforcement agencies, which may invite further investigation and/or testing.
*May be permitted only when complex or development legally qualifies as senior housing.
**If property is in a condo or co-op, you should instead state that sale may be subject to terms and conditions of an offering plan.
Real estate professionals must ensure that all listing content complies with these Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Laws.
Additional Information:
The listing agent and broker will receive a courtesy notice highlighting the language in question. OneKey MLS Staff will remove any flagged potential Fair Housing violations from the listing, if you have not already done so. Click here for more details regarding the Federal Fair Housing Act.