Introduction

Advertising in the field of real estate plays a crucial role in buying, selling and renting properties. However, this advertising must comply with certain regulations to avoid discrimination. In this article, we will explore the key guidelines and regulations related to real estate advertising in California.

Anti-Discrimination Regulations

Section 804(c) of the Act

Section 804(c) of the Act prohibits the making, printing, and publication of advertisements that indicate a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin. This prohibition applies to both publishers and individuals and entities that place real estate ads. It even applies to advertisements where the underlying property may be exempt from the provisions of the Act, but where the advertisement itself violates the Act.

Responsibility of Publishers and Advertisers

Publishers and advertisers are responsible for not publishing ads that violate the Law. This means that they must not publish ads that clearly express a preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. However, if the terms or phrases used in an advertisement do not clearly indicate a preference, the publishers are not responsible for possible discriminatory interpretations.

Examples of Discrimination

• Race, Color and National Origin: Los anuncios que utilizan palabras para describir la vivienda, los residentes actuales o potenciales, o los vecinos en términos raciales o étnicos (por ejemplo, «casa familiar blanca», «no irlandeses») generan responsabilidad bajo esta sección.
• Religion: Los anuncios no deben contener preferencias, limitaciones o discriminaciones explícitas basadas en la religión (por ejemplo, «sin judíos», «hogar cristiano»). Sin embargo, si un anuncio contiene el nombre legal de una entidad que tiene una referencia religiosa (por ejemplo, «Roselawn Catholic Home») o un símbolo religioso (como una cruz), pero incluye un descargo de responsabilidad, no violará la Ley.
• Sex: Los anuncios para viviendas unifamiliares o unidades separadas en viviendas multifamiliares no deben contener preferencias, limitaciones o discriminaciones explícitas basadas en el sexo. Términos como «Master Bedroom», «mother-in-law suite» y «bachelor apartment» son descripciones comunes y no violan la Ley.

Title 3: Other Discrimination Issues

Disability Discrimination

Los anuncios no deben contener exclusiones, limitaciones u otras indicaciones explícitas de discriminación basada en la discapacidad (por ejemplo, «no sillas de ruedas»). Sin embargo, los anuncios que describen propiedades, servicios o instalaciones relacionados con la accesibilidad (como una rampa para sillas de ruedas) son legales.

Discrimination by Family Status

Advertisements cannot express preferences, limitations or discrimination based on family status. This means they cannot set limitations on the number or age of children, nor express a preference for adults, couples or singles. Advertisements that neutrally describe properties, services and neighborhoods do not violate the Law.

Conclusion

Real estate advertising is a powerful tool for buyers and sellers, but it must comply with anti-discrimination regulations. Both publishers and advertisers have a responsibility to ensure that their ads do not express illegal preferences, limitations or discrimination. Compliance with these regulations is essential to promoting an equitable and non-discriminatory real estate market in California.