How many protected classes are there under NH Fair Housing Law?
Correct Answer
D) Ten
Ten protected classes in New Hampshire.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
New Hampshire Fair Housing Law protects ten classes: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, age (60+), and sexual orientation. This exceeds the federal minimum of seven protected classes.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Seven
Seven is the number of protected classes under federal fair housing law, but New Hampshire has expanded these protections with additional categories beyond the federal minimum.
Option B: Eight
Eight is incorrect as it doesn't match either the federal minimum or New Hampshire's expanded protections. This may reflect a partial understanding of the additional state protections.
Option C: Nine
Nine is incorrect as it doesn't correspond to any standard fair housing protection count. This might result from miscounting or including a category not actually protected under NH law.
Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question
Understanding protected classes under fair housing laws is crucial for real estate professionals as violations can lead to severe legal consequences, including fines, license suspension, and lawsuits. This question specifically tests knowledge of New Hampshire's fair housing protections, which exceed federal requirements. The core concept is recognizing that while federal law protects seven classes, New Hampshire has expanded these protections. To arrive at the correct answer, students must differentiate between federal and state-level protections. NH includes all seven federal classes plus additional categories: marital status, familial status (defined as children under 18), and sexual orientation. The question challenges students because it requires knowledge beyond the standard federal fair housing curriculum that most real estate courses emphasize. Understanding state-specific variations demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and prepares agents to practice legally in their jurisdiction.
Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate
Fair housing laws originated from the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The federal Fair Housing Act was amended in 1988 to include disability and familial status. Most states have adopted these protections, with some like New Hampshire expanding further. NH RSA 654:16 explicitly prohibits discrimination based on additional characteristics including marital status, age (60+), and sexual orientation. These expanded protections reflect New Hampshire's commitment to comprehensive housing equality and require real estate professionals to understand these additional categories to avoid legal violations.
Memory Technique
acronymNH FRESH CLASS: New Hampshire Fair Housing Expanded Classes: L (LGBTQ+), A (Age 60+), S (Sexual orientation), S (Sex). Add to the federal seven: Race, Color, Religion, Ethnicity, Sex, Familial status, Disability.
Remember NH has expanded protections by adding the letters LASS to the federal FRESH acronym. Federal: FRESH (Race, Color, Religion, Ethnicity, Sex, Familial status, Disability). NH adds: LASS (LGBTQ+, Age 60+, Sexual orientation, Sex)
Exam Tip for Practice Of Real Estate
When asked about state-specific fair housing protections, always consider that states may have more protections than federal law. NH adds marital status, age 60+, and sexual orientation to the federal seven.
Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate
Sarah, a real estate agent in Manchester, NH, shows properties to a same-sex couple interested in buying a home. The seller makes discriminatory comments about their relationship. Under NH law, Sarah must immediately discontinue working with the seller and report the discrimination to both the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights and her broker. She can assist the buyers in finding alternative housing and may connect them with fair housing organizations. This scenario highlights why knowing NH's expanded protections (including sexual orientation) is crucial for ethical and legal practice, as violating fair housing laws can result in significant liability for both the agent and brokerage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions
- •Assuming federal protections apply at the state level without checking for state-specific expansions
- •Miscounting protected classes by either including unprotected categories or omitting legitimate protections
- •Confusing familial status definitions between federal and state laws, where NH specifically includes children under 18
Related Topics & Key Terms
Related Topics:
Key Terms:
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