Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List
This word and phrase list is intended as a guideline to assist in complying with state and federal fair housing laws. It is in now way to be contrued as advice nor be considered an effort to review or edit an advertiser's ad. This list is not intended as a complete list of every word or phrase that could violate any local, state, or federal statutes. This list is not intended to provide legal advice. By its nature, a general list cannot cover particular persons' situations or questions.
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KEY: BOLD — not acceptable ITALIC — caution STANDARD — acceptable
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| able-bodied
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Mormon Temple
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Active
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Mosque
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adult community
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Mother in law apartment
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adult living
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Muslim
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adult park
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Nanny's room
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adults only
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Nationality
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African
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Near
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Agile
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Negro, no
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AIDS, no
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Neighborhood name
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Alcoholics, no
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Newlyweds
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Appalachian, no
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Nice
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American Indians
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non- smokers
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Asian
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# of bedrooms
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Assistance animal(s)
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# of children
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Assistance animal(s) only
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# of persons
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Bachelor
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# of sleeping areas
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Bachelor pad
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Nursery
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Blacks, no
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nursing home
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blind, no
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Older person(s)
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board approval required
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one child
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Catholic
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one person
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Caucasian
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Oriental
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Chicano, no
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Parish
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children, no
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perfect for . . . (should not describe people)
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Chinese
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pets limited to assistance animals
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Christian
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pets, no
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Churches, near
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Philippine or Philippinos, no
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Close to
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physically fit
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college students, no
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play area, no
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Colored
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preferred community
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Congregation
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Prestigious
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Convalescent home
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Privacy
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Convenient to
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Private
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Couple
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Private driveway
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couples only
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Private entrance
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Credit check required
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Private property
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crippled, no
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Private setting
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Curfew
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Public transportation(near)
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Deaf, no
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Puerto Rican
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Den
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Quality construction
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disabled, no
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quality neighborhood
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domestics, quarters
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Quiet
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Drug users, no
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Quiet neighborhood
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Drugs, no
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references required
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employed, must be
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religious references
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empty nesters
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Responsible
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English only
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Restricted
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Equal Housing Opportunity
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retarded, no
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ethnic references
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Retirees
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Exclusive
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Retirement home
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Executive
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safe neighborhood
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families, no
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school name or school district
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families welcome
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se habla espanol
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family room
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seasonal rates
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family, great for
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seasonal worker(s), no
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family, great for
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Secluded
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female roommate**
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section 8 accepted/ welcome
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female(s) only**
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section 8, no
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55 and older community*
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Secure
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fixer-upper
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security provided
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gated community
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senior adult community*
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Gays, no**
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senior citizen(s)*
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Gender
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senior discount
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golden-agers only
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senior housing*
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golf course, near
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senior(s)*
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group home(s) no
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sex or gender**
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guest house
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Shrine
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handicap accessible
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single family home
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handicap parking, no
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single person
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Handicapped, not for
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single woman, man**
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healthy only
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singles only
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Hindu, no
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sixty-two and older community*
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Hispanic
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Smoker(s), no
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HIV, no
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Smoking, no
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housing for older persons/seniors*
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Snowbirds*
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Hungarian, no
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sober
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Ideal for . . . (should not describe people)
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Sophisticated
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impaired, no
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Spanish speaking
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Indian
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Spanish speaking, no
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Integrated
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Square feet
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Irish, no
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Straight only **
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Italian, no
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student(s)
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Jewish
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Students, no
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kids welcome
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI), no
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Landmark reference
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Synagogue, near
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Latino
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temple, near
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Lesbians, no
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tenant (description of)
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males roommate**
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Townhouse
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males(s) only**
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traditional neighborhood
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man (men) only**
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traditional style
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Mature
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tranquil setting
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mature complex
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two people
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mature couple
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Unemployed, no
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mature individuals
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Verifiable Income
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mature person(s)
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walking distance of, within
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membership available
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Wheelchairs, no
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Membership approval required
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White
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Mentally handicapped, no
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White(s) only
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Mentally ill, no
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winter rental rates
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Mexican
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winter/summer visitors*
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Mexican-American
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woman (women) only**
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Migrant workers, no
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BostonApartments.com is committed to combating discrimination in housing. BostonApartments.com, recommends that any professionally managed property should be advertised as 'a professionally managed building' rather than a 'professional building'
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* Permitted to be used only when complex or development qualifies as housing for older persons
** Permitted to be used only when describing shared living areas or dwelling units used exclusively as dormitory facilities by educational institutions.
Cautionary words are unacceptable if utilized in a context that states an unlawful preference or limitation. Furthermore, all cautionary words are "red flags" to fair housing enforcement agencies. Use of these words will only serve to invite further investigation and/or testing.
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