What Does “Equal Housing Opportunity” Really Mean?
Everyone deserves a fair opportunity when it comes to finding a place to live. If you’ve seen the phrase “Equal Housing Opportunity” on rental listings or leases, it’s more than a tagline; it’s a legal and ethical standard rooted in civil rights law. But what does it actually mean, especially for renters and property owners in Boise and the surrounding area?
Let’s take a closer look at what Equal Housing Opportunity is, how it applies in Idaho, and what both residents and landlords should know.
Understanding the Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act, passed in 1968, is a federal law that prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. It protects individuals from being treated unfairly due to:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Sex (including gender and sexual harassment)
- Disability
- Familial Status (including pregnancy or having children under 18)
This law applies to landlords, real estate agents, lenders, and property managers nationwide, including those in Idaho. It means we cannot deny someone housing or offer different terms based on one of these protected characteristics.
At RentWise, we are fully committed to upholding these protections and work diligently to ensure that every applicant is treated respectfully and fairly.
Boise-Specific Protections
While Idaho state law does not currently include sexual orientation or gender identity as protected classes, Boise has its own ordinance that does. Since 2012, the City of Boise has prohibited housing discrimination based on:
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity and expression
This makes Boise one of the more inclusive cities in the state when it comes to fair housing protections. At RentWise, we adhere to the most inclusive standards because equal access to housing matters. You can read more about the Fair Housing Resources specifically in Boise, here.
Equal Doesn't Mean "No Requirements"
While fair housing laws prevent discrimination based on personal identity, it’s still entirely appropriate (and necessary) for property managers to use consistent, objective criteria when evaluating rental applications.
Every applicant who submits for consideration for a rental home is evaluated using the same qualifications, which may include:
- Credit score requirements
- Proof of income
- Rental history and references
- Criminal background checks (as permitted by law)
These standards are never applied selectively. Instead, they help ensure that every applicant has the ability to meet the financial and practical responsibilities of renting a home. It's a system built on transparency, fairness, and consistency.
What Fair Housing Looks Like
An Equal Housing Opportunity in action means:
- Never denying an application due to race, religion, or family size
- Always utilizing the same screening process for every applicant
- Providing reasonable accommodations for renters with disabilities
- Avoiding exclusionary language in listings or advertisements, such as "no kids" or "ideal for single professionals"
These practices aren't just legal obligations; they reflect how we operate as a professional, responsible, ethical property management team. We take extra care by attending professional development to ensure that we remain compliant and fair.
Our Ongoing Commitment
At RentWise Property Management, we're more than just a rental company. Since 2012, we have been dedicated to being your partners in building a stronger, fairer community. Whether you're a future resident looking for a home or a property investor navigating regulations, we're here to provide expert guidance grounded in respect and integrity.
We'd love to connect with you! Feel free to reach out to our team at office@rentwisepm.com or visit www.rentwisepm.com to explore how we make property management simple, efficient, and fair every step of the way.
