REALTORS® and REALTOR® Associations at the local, state, and national level are firmly committed to combating discrimination in real estate. It is against Massachusetts law for a landlord or a real estate agent to refuse to rent to someone because he/she has (or is expecting) a child or because the property contains lead. Importantly, property owners cannot avoid this obligation by rejecting families with children. a Section 8 voucher), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran or active military status, genetic information.Īdditionally in Massachusetts property owners are obligated to abate lead paint hazards in any rental unit occupied by a child under age six.
children), disability, source of income (e.g. They include: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (i.e. This law contains additional protected classes not currently covered by federal law.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has its own law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, or rental of housing by property owners, landlords, property managers, mortgage lenders, and real estate agents.
