What Every Missouri Landlord Needs to Know About Fair Housing Laws

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Rental property is an excellent investment to own--however it also presents legal liabilities that must be familiar to any landlord. Fair Housing laws compliance is one of the most important. It is unfortunate that a lot of landlords engage in breaching these laws unknowingly either by use of advertising language or tenant screening choice or by the general process of communication.

It is an explanation of Fair Housing laws to landlords in plain English including real-life examples and considerations of the state of Missouri. Ignorance of these rules can cost you heavily in fines and lawsuits whether you do it alone or hire a property management firm.

What Are Fair Housing Laws?

Fair Housing laws are designed to prevent discrimination in housing-related activities such as renting, leasing, advertising, screening, and enforcing lease terms. The primary federal law is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), enforced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The laws cover the majority of the rental properties such as single-family properties, multi-family structures, and apartments with a few exceptions.

Principle: There should be consistent, fair and unbiased treatment of all applicants and tenants.

Protected Classes Under the Fair Housing Act

Federal Fair Housing law protects individuals from discrimination based on:

Race
Color
Religion
Sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity)
National origin
Familial status (presence of children under 18)
Disability

Missouri Fair Housing Protections

In Missouri, state and local Fair Housing laws generally mirror federal protections, but enforcement may occur at the state or local level. Landlords operating in St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Lincoln County, and surrounding areas must comply with all applicable regulations.

Because Fair Housing enforcement is complaint-driven, even one mistake can trigger an investigation.

Common Fair Housing Mistakes Landlords Make

Many violations happen unintentionally. Below are some of the most common mistakes landlords make:

1. Discriminatory Advertising Language

Certain phrases—even if well-intended—can violate Fair Housing laws.

Examples to avoid:

“Perfect for singles”
“No kids allowed”
“Christian community”
“Ideal for young professionals”

Safer alternatives:

Focus on the property, not the tenant
Describe features such as square footage, amenities, and layout

2. Inconsistent Tenant Screening

Landlords must apply the same screening criteria to every applicant, including:

Credit requirements
Income verification
Criminal background policies

Changing standards from one applicant to another—even casually—can result in a Fair Housing complaint.

3. Improper Handling of Reasonable Accommodations

Landlords are required to provide reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. Examples include:

Allowing service or emotional support animals (even in no-pet properties)
Providing reserved parking
Permitting minor modifications at the tenant’s expense

Denying these requests without proper evaluation is a common source of violations.

4. Steering Tenants

Steering occurs when landlords guide applicants toward or away from certain properties based on protected characteristics.

Example:

Suggesting one neighborhood over another because of family status or national origin

Even helpful intentions can lead to legal exposure.

Penalties for Fair Housing Violations

Fair Housing violations can result in:

HUD investigations
Civil lawsuits
Fines and penalties
Legal fees
Damage to your reputation
Forced changes to rental policies

For landlords, the cost of a violation often exceeds the cost of professional property management.

How Professional Property Management Helps Protect Landlords

One of the biggest advantages of working with a professional property management company is risk reduction.

At Homestretch Property Management, Fair Housing compliance is built into our systems, including:

Legally compliant advertising
Consistent tenant screening standards
Documented application processes
Proper handling of accommodation requests
Ongoing staff training

We help protect rental property owners throughout St. Louis, St. Charles, Wentzville, Dardenne Prairie, Troy, and surrounding Missouri communities.

Fair Housing Best Practices for Landlords

To stay compliant, landlords should:

Use written screening criteria
Document all application decisions
Avoid personal opinions or assumptions
Focus communication on property features
Respond promptly and consistently to all applicants
Stay informed on Fair Housing updates

If managing these responsibilities feels overwhelming, it may be time to partner with a professional.

Why Fair Housing Compliance Matters More Than Ever

Enforcement of Fair Housing has expanded over the last few years and awareness of the tenants has been expanded. One of the online complaints can result in months of legal anguish.

By focusing on compliance, landlords not only minimize risk- but also ensure better tenants, safeguard property value in the long run and they conduct more professionally.

Work With a Property Manager Who Takes Compliance Seriously

Homestretch Property Management, top property management company in St. Louis, MO, assists landlords to remain legal and also ensure maximum rental performance. We deal with the details of marketing and tenant screening, lease enforcement and renewals and so on.

We are available to serve your peace of mind, particularly in the St. Louis metro area in case you have an investment in the rental business.