Federal and State Laws Practice Questions
Federal and state laws pertaining to real estate is about 3 questions on the Florida sales associate exam. It covers the Fair Housing Act and its protected classes and exemptions, the illegal practices of steering and blockbusting, lead-based paint disclosure, the Johnson v. Davis disclosure rule, and the ADA. Work the questions below, then read every explanation.
Exam prep only
These questions test the rules that protect consumers and the public. Fair housing is the heart of this area, and the exam loves the difference between similar-sounding illegal practices.
Use The Protected-Class-and-Practice Read. First check whether a protected class is involved, then name the specific practice, such as steering or blockbusting. The names describe different behaviors, and the exam tests which is which.
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Federal and State Laws Practice Questions
7 scenario-based questions on federal and state laws, scored, each with a full explanation after you answer. Every question is also written out below if you would rather study at your own pace.
Every question explained
Prefer to study at your own pace? Here are all 7 questions. Read each one and pick your answer, then reveal the correct answer, the reasoning, and the trap that catches most candidates.
1. Which list correctly states the seven protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act?
- A.Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability
- B.Race, age, income, marital status, occupation, sex, and religion
- C.Race, color, creed, age, sexual orientation, sex, and disability
- D.Race, color, religion, national origin, age, income, and disability
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability
Why A is correct: The federal Fair Housing Act protects seven classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. Familial status protects families with children under 18 and pregnant people. Florida's Fair Housing Act mirrors these classes.
Trap: Age and income are not protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act. Familial status and disability are the two students most often forget.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3604; F.S. 760.23
2. An owner of a single-family home sells it himself, without a real estate licensee and without discriminatory advertising. A limited Fair Housing exemption may apply, but it never applies to discrimination based on
- A.familial status
- B.religion
- C.race
- D.national origin
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. race
Why C is correct: Even where a limited Fair Housing exemption applies, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 bars all racial discrimination in property transactions with no exceptions. So discrimination based on race is never permitted, and discriminatory advertising is never allowed.
Trap: No exemption ever covers race. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits racial discrimination in all property transactions without exception.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 1982 (Civil Rights Act of 1866); 42 U.S.C. 3603
3. A licensee tells homeowners that members of a particular protected class are moving into the neighborhood, hoping to scare them into listing their homes at low prices. This illegal practice is
- A.steering
- B.blockbusting
- C.redlining
- D.a permissible market update
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. blockbusting
Why B is correct: Blockbusting, also called panic selling, is inducing owners to sell by suggesting that members of a protected class are moving into the area. It is illegal under the Fair Housing Act. Steering is directing buyers toward or away from areas based on a protected class, and redlining is a lender denying loans in certain areas.
Trap: Blockbusting scares owners into selling. Steering channels buyers. Redlining is a lending denial. Match the behavior to the term.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3604 and 3605, Fair Housing Act
4. Federal law requires lead-based paint disclosure for residential properties built before
- A.1968
- B.1978
- C.1988
- D.2000
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. 1978
Why B is correct: Federal law requires lead-based paint disclosure for housing built before 1978. The seller or landlord must disclose known lead hazards, provide an EPA pamphlet, and give the buyer a 10-day period to conduct a lead inspection, which the buyer may waive.
Trap: The lead-based paint rule applies to pre-1978 housing. Properties built in 1978 or later are exempt regardless of condition.
Source: Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X)
5. Under the Florida Supreme Court decision in Johnson v. Davis, a seller of residential property must
- A.disclose only defects the buyer specifically asks about
- B.disclose known facts that materially affect the value of the property and are not readily observable to the buyer
- C.guarantee the home against all future defects
- D.disclose nothing, because Florida follows caveat emptor without exception
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. disclose known facts that materially affect the value of the property and are not readily observable to the buyer
Why B is correct: Johnson v. Davis established that a seller of residential property must disclose known facts that materially affect the value of the property and are not readily observable to the buyer. This duty applies even if the buyer does not ask.
Trap: The duty covers known, hidden, value-affecting defects. The seller cannot stay silent just because the buyer did not ask about a specific problem.
Source: Johnson v. Davis, 480 So. 2d 625 (Fla. 1985)
6. The Americans with Disabilities Act primarily requires that
- A.all private homes be made wheelchair accessible
- B.commercial properties and public accommodations be accessible to people with disabilities
- C.landlords pay for all tenant modifications in any housing
- D.only government buildings comply with accessibility rules
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. commercial properties and public accommodations be accessible to people with disabilities
Why B is correct: The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that commercial facilities and places of public accommodation, such as stores, offices, and restaurants, be accessible to people with disabilities. Fair housing law, separately, requires reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing.
Trap: The ADA targets commercial and public-accommodation properties. Accessibility in housing is handled mainly through the Fair Housing Act, not the ADA.
Source: Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101
7. A person who believes they suffered housing discrimination may file an administrative complaint with HUD within
- A.30 days of the discriminatory act
- B.1 year of the discriminatory act
- C.5 years of the discriminatory act
- D.no deadline applies
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. 1 year of the discriminatory act
Why B is correct: A person may file an administrative housing discrimination complaint with HUD within 1 year of the discriminatory act. Separately, a person may file a civil lawsuit in federal court within 2 years of the act.
Trap: The HUD administrative complaint window is 1 year. The separate federal court lawsuit window is 2 years. Do not mix the two.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 3610 and 3613, Fair Housing Act
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Get the full question bankFrequently asked questions
What are the seven protected classes under fair housing law?
The federal Fair Housing Act protects race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. Familial status covers families with children under 18 and pregnant people. Florida's Fair Housing Act mirrors these seven classes.
What is the difference between steering and blockbusting?
Steering is directing buyers toward or away from neighborhoods based on a protected class. Blockbusting is scaring owners into selling by suggesting that members of a protected class are moving into the area. Both are illegal under the Fair Housing Act.
When does lead-based paint disclosure apply?
Federal law requires lead-based paint disclosure for residential housing built before 1978. The seller or landlord must disclose known hazards, provide an EPA pamphlet, and give the buyer 10 days to inspect, which the buyer may waive.