Which scenario illustrates a potential violation of the Fair Housing Law?

The scenario where a landlord does not rent to a family with young children illustrates a potential violation of the Fair Housing Law because it directly involves discrimination based on familial status. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals or families based on a number of protected characteristics, including the presence of children under the age of 18.

Denying rental based on the presence of young children perpetuates unfair treatment and exclusion of families, undermining the principle of equal housing opportunity advocated by federal law. This reflects an understanding that families with children should have the same access to housing as any other group.

In contrast, charging higher rent based on income may not necessarily constitute a Fair Housing violation, as income can be a legitimate basis for setting rental prices, provided it is applied uniformly. Refusing to rent to someone based solely on a criminal history might raise concerns about discrimination depending on the nature and context of the history, but it does not directly relate to the protected classes under the Fair Housing Act. Lastly, denying a rental application due to a lack of references can be a standard practice and does not inherently indicate discrimination based on a protected characteristic.