Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List - The Miami Valley Fair Housing Center

This word and phrase list is intended as a guideline to assist in complying with state and federal fair housing laws. It is not intended as a complete list of every word or phrase that could violate any local, state, or federal statutes.

This list is intended to educate and provide general guidance to the many businesses in the Miami Valley that create and publish real estate advertising. This list is not intended to provide legal advice. By its nature, a general list cannot cover particular persons’ situations or questions. The list is intended to make you aware of and sensitive to the important legal obligations concerning discriminatory real estate advertising.

For additional information, contact the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center at (937) 223-6035.

Additional notes are at the bottom of this page. There is also a PDF format version of this list.

BOLD — not acceptable ITALIC — caution STANDARD — acceptable

# of bedrooms

# of children

# of persons

# of sleeping areas

55 and older community*

able-bodied

Active

adult community

adult living

adult park

adults only

African, no

Agile

AIDS, no

Alcoholics, no

American Indians, no

Appalachian, no

Asian

Assistance animal(s)

Assistance animal(s) only

Bachelor

Bachelor pad

Bisexuals, no¶

Blacks, no

blind, no

board approval required

Catholic

Caucasian

Chicano, no

children, no

Chinese

Christian

Churches, near

college students, no

Colored

Congregation

Convalescent home

Convenient to

Couple

couples only

Credit check required

crippled, no

Curfew

Deaf, no

Den

disabled, no

domestics, quarters

Drug users, no

Drugs, no

employed, must be

empty nesters

English only

Equal Housing Opportunity

ethnic references

Exclusive

Executive

families welcome

families, no

family room

family, great for

female roommate**

female(s) only**

fixer-upper

gated community

Gays, no¶

Gender

golden-agers only

golf course, near

group home(s) no

guest house

handicap accessible

handicap parking, no

Handicapped, not for

healthy only

Hindu

Hispanic, no

HIV, no

Homosexuals, no¶

housing for older persons/seniors*

Hungarian, no

Ideal for . . . (should not describe people)

impaired, no

Indian, no

Integrated

Irish, no

Italian, no

Jewish

kids welcome

Landmark reference

Latino, no

Lesbians, no¶

male roommate**

males(s) only**

man (men) only**

Mature

mature complex

mature couple

mature individuals

mature person(s)

Membership approval required

membership available

Mentally handicapped, no

Mentally ill, no

Mexican, no

Mexican-American, no

Migrant workers, no

Military, no§

Mormon Temple

Mosque

Mother in law apartment

Muslim

Nanny's room

Nationality

Near

Negro, no

Neighborhood name

Newlyweds

Nice

non- smokers

Nursery

nursing home

Older person(s)

one child

one person

Oriental, no

Parish

perfect for . . . (should not describe people)

pets limited to assistance animals

pets, no

Philippine or Philippinos, no

physically fit

play area, no

preferred community

Prestigious

Privacy

Private

Private driveway

Private entrance

Private property

Private setting

Public transportation(near)

Puerto Rican, no

Quality construction

quality neighborhood

Quiet

Quiet neighborhood

references required

religious references

Responsible

Restricted

retarded, no

Retirees

Retirement home

safe neighborhood

school name or school district

se habla espanol

seasonal rates

seasonal worker(s), no

Secluded

section 8 accepted/ welcome

section 8, no

Secure

security provided

senior adult community*

senior citizen(s)*

senior discount

senior housing*

senior(s)*

sex or gender**

Shrine

single family home

single person

single woman, man**

singles only

sixty-two and older community*

Smoker(s), no

Smoking, no

Snowbirds*

sober

Sophisticated

Spanish speaking

Spanish speaking, no

Square feet

Straight only¶

student(s)

Students, no

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), no

Synagogue, near

temple, near

tenant (description of)

Townhouse

traditional neighborhood

traditional style

tranquil setting

Transgendered, no¶

two people

Unemployed, no

Verifiable Income

walking distance of , within

Wheelchairs, no

White

White(s) only

winter rental rates

winter/summer visitors*

woman ( women) only**

* Permitted to be used only when complex or development qualifies as housing for older persons

** Permitted to be used only when describing shared living areas or dwelling units used exclusively as dormitory facilities by educational institutions

¶ Discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal within the City of Dayton and certain other local jurisdictions.

All cautionary words are unacceptable if utilized in a context that states an unlawful preference or limitation. Furthermore, all cautionary words are “red flags” to fair housing enforcement agencies. Use of these words will only serve to invite further investigation and/or testing.

This list is intended to educate and provide general guidance to the many businesses in the Miami Valley that create and publish real estate advertising. This list is not intended to provide legal advice. If you are in need of legal advice, please see an attorney. By its nature, a general list cannot cover particular persons’ situations or questions. The list is intended to make you aware of and sensitive to the important legal obligations concerning discriminatory real estate advertising.