Minnesota State Real Estate Practice Test

Which factors can constitute a discriminatory act?

1. Only race and color

2. Race, age, and credit score

3. Race, religion, sex, and disability

4. Marital status and familial status only

The correct answer is: Race, religion, sex, and disability

Discriminatory acts in real estate can be understood through the lens of federal and state fair housing laws, which are designed to prevent discrimination based on specific protected classes. The correct answer encompasses key categories that are recognized under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing practices based on several grounds. These protected classes include race, religion, sex, and disability, among others. The inclusion of these factors reflects the intent of fair housing laws to promote equality and protect individuals from being treated unfairly based on their inherent characteristics or beliefs. This ensures that all individuals have an equal opportunity to access housing regardless of these factors. Options that suggest a limited scope, like focusing solely on race and color or only on marital and familial statuses, do not encompass the breadth of protections provided by fair housing legislation. While those factors may have relevance in specific contexts, they do not cover the range of discrimination addressed by broader housing laws. Additionally, including age and credit score does not align with the federally protected classes, as those attributes are not recognized as protective classes under the Fair Housing Act. Thus, the most comprehensive and legally supported answer is the one that identifies discrimination based on race, religion, sex, and disability.