What types of questions should be avoided during tenant screening?

Questions that violate fair housing laws should be avoided during tenant screening because they can lead to discrimination against certain protected classes. Fair housing laws are designed to ensure that individuals are treated equally regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, or disability. When screening potential tenants, it is essential to focus on factors that are relevant to their ability to fulfill the lease agreement, like income and rental history, while not delving into personal characteristics that could violate these laws.

The other types of questions mentioned are generally permissible and relevant to assessing a tenant's capability to pay rent and maintain their lease. For example, questions regarding financial history, rental history, and employment status can provide landlords with a clearer picture of a potential tenant's reliability. However, any question that touches on a protected characteristic would be inappropriate to ask and could expose the landlord to legal liability.