Key Takeaways
- Kansas fair housing law adds disability and familial status to protected classes, mirroring federal law
- Protected classes include race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status
- Blockbusting, steering, and redlining are prohibited discriminatory practices
- Kansas Human Rights Commission handles state fair housing complaints
- Licensees can be disciplined by KREC for fair housing violations
Last updated: January 2026
Fair Housing in Kansas
Kansas fair housing law works alongside the federal Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination in real estate transactions. Real estate licensees must understand and comply with both.
Protected Classes
Federal and Kansas Protected Classes
| Protected Class | Federal | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Race | Yes | Yes |
| Color | Yes | Yes |
| Religion | Yes | Yes |
| Sex | Yes | Yes |
| National Origin | Yes | Yes |
| Familial Status | Yes | Yes |
| Disability | Yes | Yes |
Key Point: Kansas law mirrors federal protected classes. Some local jurisdictions may add additional protections.
What These Classes Mean
| Class | Definition |
|---|---|
| Race | Any racial group |
| Color | Skin color |
| Religion | Any religious belief (or none) |
| Sex | Male or female, includes sexual harassment |
| National Origin | Country of birth or ancestry |
| Familial Status | Families with children under 18 |
| Disability | Physical or mental impairment |
Prohibited Practices
Discrimination in Sales and Rentals
| Prohibited | Examples |
|---|---|
| Refusing to sell/rent | Based on protected class |
| Different terms | Requiring larger deposit from minorities |
| Misrepresentation | Saying property is unavailable |
| Steering | Directing to/from certain areas |
| Blockbusting | Inducing panic selling |
| Redlining | Denying services by area |
Specific Prohibited Actions
Steering
| Definition | Limiting choices based on protected class |
|---|---|
| Example | Showing only certain neighborhoods |
| Impact | Perpetuates segregation |
| Defense | None - intent not required |
Blockbusting
| Definition | Inducing sales by claiming neighborhood is changing |
|---|---|
| Example | "Values will drop when more minorities move in" |
| Impact | Causes panic selling, harms communities |
| Penalty | Violation of fair housing law |
Redlining
| Definition | Refusing services based on location |
|---|---|
| Example | Insurance company refusing to insure certain areas |
| Impact | Denies services to entire communities |
| History | Named after practice of drawing red lines on maps |
Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications
For Persons with Disabilities
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Reasonable accommodation | Change in rules or policies |
| Reasonable modification | Physical change to property |
Examples
| Accommodation | Modification |
|---|---|
| Allowing service animal | Installing ramp |
| Reserved parking spot | Widening doorways |
| Early lease termination | Grab bars in bathroom |
Who Pays?
| Rental | Sale |
|---|---|
| Tenant pays for modifications | Seller not required |
| Landlord may require restoration | |
| Landlord pays for accommodations |
Fair Housing Enforcement
Where to File Complaints
| Agency | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| HUD | Federal Fair Housing Act |
| Kansas Human Rights Commission | State fair housing |
| KREC | License discipline |
Consequences for Violations
| Consequence | Description |
|---|---|
| Civil penalties | Fines up to thousands of dollars |
| Actual damages | Compensation to victim |
| Punitive damages | Additional punishment |
| License discipline | KREC action |
| Injunction | Court order to stop |
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Test Your Knowledge
Which of the following is a protected class under Kansas fair housing law?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
What is "steering" in fair housing?
A
B
C
D