Unit 9: Advertisting & Fair Housing

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining important federal and state real estate laws, ethics, and consumer protection terminology.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

A federal law requiring businesses and public accommodations to be accessible to persons with physical or mental disabilities.

Blind Ad

An advertisement that does not include the name of the brokerage firm, which is strictly prohibited in North Carolina.

Blockbusting

The illegal practice of inducing property owners to sell their homes by creating fear of demographic changes in the neighborhood and implying a decline in property values.

CAN-Spam Act

A federal law that establishes requirements for commercial email, including the necessity of a prominent opt-out provision.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

A federal law that prohibits discrimination based on race in the sale and rental of real and personal property, with no exceptions.

Disparate Impact

Occurs when policies or practices that appear neutral disproportionately affect a protected class, even without explicit discriminatory intent.

Do Not Call Law

A federal regulation that prohibits unsolicited telemarketing calls to consumers who have registered their phone numbers on the national Do Not Call Registry, with specific exceptions.

Do Not Fax / Junk Fax Laws

Federal regulations that prohibit sending unsolicited advertisements to a fax machine without prior consent, requiring an opt-out provision.

Fair Housing Act of 1968

A federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap status, and familial status.

Familial Status

A protected class under fair housing laws that includes families with children under 18 (including pregnant women) and those in the process of obtaining legal custody of children.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The U.S. government agency that enforces federal consumer protection laws, including the Do Not Call Law.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

A property that is being sold directly by the owner without the assistance of a real estate broker.

Handicap Status

A protected class under fair housing laws that refers to a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such an impairment.

Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

A U.S. government agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs and improve communities, including enforcing fair housing laws.

Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA)

A federal law that provides an exception to the familial status protections of the Fair Housing Act, allowing certain housing communities for persons 55 or older to refuse to allow children.

Megan's Law

Federal legislation that requires states to maintain a registry of convicted sex offenders and to make information about them available to the public.

NC Human Relations Commission

The North Carolina state agency responsible for enforcing the N.C. Fair Housing Act.

N.C. Fair Housing Act

North Carolina's state law mirroring the federal Fair Housing Act, with some variations in exemptions, particularly concerning sales by owner and owner-occupied rentals.

Protected Classes

Groups of people who are legally protected from discrimination under fair housing laws (Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Handicap, Familial Status, National Origin).

Reasonable Accommodation

A change in rules, policies, practices, or services that may be necessary to afford a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

Reasonable Modification

A structural change made to existing premises, occupied or to be occupied by a person with a disability, in order to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises.

REALTOR® Code of Ethics

A set of ethical standards and practices to which members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) must adhere.

Redlining

The illegal practice by lenders of refusing to make mortgage loans or provide insurance in certain geographic areas based on discriminatory factors rather than objective risk assessment.

Steering

The illegal practice of directing or channeling prospective homebuyers to or away from certain neighborhoods based on their protected class.

Tortious Interference

An intentional act by a third party to disrupt an existing contract or economic relationship between two other parties, potentially leading to a civil lawsuit in real estate if a REALTOR® solicits another REALTOR®'s clients.