FACTS: The landlord does not want to rent the property to three university students unless all the student tenants meet the landlord’s financial requirements. 

ISSUE: Is it a Fair Housing violation if the landlord refuses to rent the property to the three students?

ANSWER: No. 

DISCUSSION:

The Fair Housing Act prohibits the following based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, familial status, national origin, or handicap (the “Protected Classes”).  42 U.S.C.§3601 et seq.; A.R.S. § 41-1491 et seq.  University students are not a Protected Class pursuant to the state or federal Fair Housing Acts.  Therefore, the landlord is entitled to refuse to rent the property to the three university students unless all the student tenants meet the landlord’s financial requirements.