Housing Discrimination Based on Sex (Gender) is Illegal

The federal Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to discriminate in the rental or sale of housing on the basis of sex. For example, landlords cannot advertise a preference for male or female tenants. An exemption is permitted in roommate situations where the landlord and tenant share household spaces such as bathrooms or kitchens. This type of shared housing may be restricted to only male residents or to only female residents.