A Registered Sex Offender is not a Member of a Protected Class Protected by the Fair Housing Laws
FACTS:
During her representation of a potential tenant, the licensee discovered that the prospective tenant was a registered sex offender. The agent is uncomfortable and wants to terminate the agency relationship.
ISSUE:
May the agent terminate the agency relationship because the prospective tenant is a registered sex offender?
ANSWER:
See discussion.
DISCUSSION:
Assuming that the reason for the desired termination is that the prospective tenant is a sex offender, the agent may terminate the relationship. Registered sex offenders are not a protected class under Arizona state or federal Fair Housing Laws.