What is the correct answer to: Rhode Island fair housing law:

The correct answer is Adds sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income. Answer B is correct because Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-1 et seq.) explicitly extends protections beyond the seven federal protected classes to include sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and source of lawful income, among other categories. These additions reflect deliberate legislative choices by the Rhode Island General Assembly to provide broader housing protections than the minimum federal floor established by the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Rhode Island is recognized as one of the more expansive state fair housing frameworks in the northeastern United States.

What background knowledge is needed for this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Rhode Island was among the early states to enact civil rights protections, with its Commission for Human Rights established in 1949, predating the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. The state's fair housing statute was strengthened progressively, with sexual orientation added as a protected class in 1995 and gender identity/expression added in 2001 — both well ahead of any federal action on these categories. The source of income protection was added to address the practical reality that landlords in Providence and other cities were refusing to rent to voucher holders, effectively segregating low-income residents. Rhode Island's legislative history reflects a consistent pattern of expanding civil rights protections beyond the federal minimum.

What is a good way to remember the answer to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Remember Rhode Island's additions with the phrase 'Rhode Island Goes SIGS' — Sexual orientation, Identity (gender), and Source of income. Picture the tiny state of Rhode Island punching above its weight class by adding three extra shields of protection on top of the federal seven. The image of a small but mighty shield labeled 'SIGS' sitting on top of a larger federal shield will help you recall exactly what Rhode Island adds. Remember this acronym when thinking about Rhode Island's fair housing additions to federal law

What exam tip applies to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

When answering state-specific fair housing questions, the exam is almost always testing whether you know what the state adds beyond the seven federal protected classes (race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status) — so focus your study on the state's unique additions rather than the federal categories you already know. For Rhode Island specifically, memorize sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income as the key additions. If an answer choice says 'only federal' for any state with a known active fair housing statute, it is virtually always wrong.

How does this Practice Of Real Estate concept apply in real world practice?

Consider a transgender woman in Providence who applies to rent an apartment and is told by the landlord that the unit is 'no longer available,' only to see it re-listed the next day. Under Rhode Island's fair housing law, her gender identity is a protected class, and she can file a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights, which has authority to investigate, hold hearings, and award remedies including back rent, emotional distress damages, and civil penalties against the landlord. A federal complaint alone would not cover gender identity discrimination, making Rhode Island's state law her primary avenue for relief.

Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingMEDIUM

Rhode Island fair housing law:

Correct Answer

B) Adds sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income

RI adds extensive protections.

Answer Options

Only federal

Adds sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income

No state law

Only rentals

Study Infographics

Study card infographic for: Rhode Island fair housing law:

Download

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question

Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate

Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Related Concepts

License Renewal Requirements

Florida real estate licenses must be renewed biennially, and sales associates have specific post-license education requirements for their first renewal.

License Requirements

License requirements are the mandatory qualifications—including pre-licensing education, examination, and background checks—that a person must satisfy before legally practicing real estate. These requirements are established and enforced by each state's real estate commission.

Market Allocation

Market allocation is an illegal antitrust practice in which competing real estate brokerages agree to divide markets among themselves by geographic area, property type, or price range, thereby eliminating competition.

Was this explanation helpful?

People Also Study

Buyer Representation Agreement

8% of exam

Property Ownership

10% of exam

Land Use Controls and Regulations

8% of exam

Valuation and Market Analysis

10% of exam

Property Flyer Generator — 2026 Guide for U.S. Agents: Step-by-Step + Best Practices

Learn how Property Flyer Generator works and how U.S. real estate agents use it in 2026. Includes setup steps, practical examples, and best-practice tips.

Why Real Estate Exam Notes Stop Helping Once You Avoid Mixed Practice

A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for real estate exam notes...

Real Estate Exam Practice Questions by Topic (2026): Free Sets for Contracts, Agency, Financing

Get topic-based real estate exam practice sets and a simple sequence to move from learning to timed mocks.

Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Rhode Island fair housing law:

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question

Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate

Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Related Topics & Key Terms

Related Concepts

More Practice Of Real Estate Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions