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Practice Of Real EstateFair_housingHARD

A Michigan landlord with 12 rental units refuses to rent to a divorced woman, stating he prefers married couples. The woman files a complaint with the Michigan Civil Rights Commission citing the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The landlord argues he is exempt from Michigan fair housing law because he owns fewer than a certain number of units. Which of the following correctly describes the applicability of Elliott-Larsen in this situation?

Correct Answer

C) The landlord is not exempt; the Elliott-Larsen Act applies broadly to housing accommodations and the marital status exemption does not exist for commercial landlords.

Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2502) prohibits discrimination in housing accommodations based on marital status. While there is a limited exemption for owner-occupied single-family dwellings rented without a real estate agent, a landlord with 12 units does not qualify for any such exemption. The Act applies broadly, and refusing to rent based on marital status (divorced status) is a violation.

Answer Options
A
The landlord is exempt because the Elliott-Larsen Act does not apply to landlords with fewer than 15 rental units.
B
The landlord is exempt because owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units are exempt, but this building has 12 units and no exemption applies.
C
The landlord is not exempt; the Elliott-Larsen Act applies broadly to housing accommodations and the marital status exemption does not exist for commercial landlords.
D
The landlord is exempt because Michigan law allows landlords to set tenant criteria based on household composition.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

elliott_larsenmarital_statusexemptionslandlord_obligationsenforcement

Related Concepts

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds, while conversion is the unauthorized use of client funds for the broker's own benefit. Both are serious violations that can result in license revocation.

Commingling is the illegal act of mixing client trust funds with a broker's personal or business operating funds; conversion is the misappropriation of those funds.

Continuing education (CE) refers to the ongoing coursework that licensed real estate professionals must complete during each renewal cycle to maintain an active license. CE ensures agents stay current with changes in laws, regulations, and industry practices.

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