Fair Housing and your messages: a practical guide

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability. Many states and cities add more protected classes. Agents are responsible for what they say in every channel, including texts and AI-assisted drafts. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common trouble spots

• Describing a neighborhood by who lives there (“great for young families”, “quiet, mostly retirees”).
• Steering clients toward or away from areas based on protected characteristics.
• Commenting on whether a home is “right for” a certain group.
• Using different tone or service for different groups.

Safer habits

• Describe the home and its features, not the people around it.
• Point to objective sources (schools’ official ratings, crime maps from official sources) instead of giving opinions, and let clients decide what matters to them.
• Answer the client’s question, not your assumption about their needs.
• Treat every client the same way.

Using AI for messages

AI can draft a polite message in seconds, but it is your name on it. Always read AI drafts before sending, and edit anything that describes people or neighborhoods. Casavria’s drafting instructions forbid references to protected classes and steering, but you remain responsible for every message you send. Nothing in Casavria is ever sent automatically.

Neighbor outreach

A new listing near a past client is a legitimate reason to reach out. Stick to the facts of the home and what it could mean for their home’s value. See neighborhood radar.

When in doubt

Ask your broker or a real estate attorney, and complete the Fair Housing training your state or board offers.

Questions

General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice.