This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fair housing laws differ by state and city. For a question about a specific listing, ask your broker or a lawyer.
What does the Fair Housing Act say about ads?
The advertising rule is section 3604(c) of Title 42 of the US Code. It makes it unlawful to make, print or publish any notice, statement or advertisement about the sale or rental of a home that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on a protected class, or an intention to make one.
Federal law protects seven classes: race, color, religion, sex, disability (the law says "handicap"), familial status and national origin. Familial status means households with children under 18, and people who are pregnant or getting custody of a child. Many states and cities protect more groups, so check the rules where the home is.
In a video, the rule covers everything a viewer reads or hears: the narration, the captions, any text on screen, the cover, the end card, and the post's title, caption and hashtags.
Which words and phrases should you avoid?
Most problems in listing copy fall into a few groups. Each one talks about people instead of the home.
- Who the home suits. "Perfect for young families", "ideal for a couple", "great for professionals", "made for retirees", "perfect for empty nesters". These tell some buyers the home is not meant for them.
- Who is not welcome. "No kids", "not suitable for children", "adults only", "bachelor pad".
- Words about the neighbors. "Safe neighborhood", "exclusive community", "restricted area", or an area described by the religion, race or origin of the people who live there.
- Words about ability and age. "Able-bodied", "mature couple". Describe the home's features instead.
What can you say instead?
Say what the home has and where it is. Facts a buyer can check are both safer and more useful.
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| Perfect for a growing family | Three bedrooms and a fenced backyard |
| Great for young professionals | A short walk to the train station |
| Safe neighborhood | A staffed front desk and a dead-end street |
| Bachelor pad | An open-plan one-bedroom |
| Not suitable for children | Describe the home; leave the people out |
| Wheelchair users need not apply | Two steps up to the entry, no elevator |
Describing how a room can be used is fine: "perfect for a home office" talks about the room, not who lives in it. Describing accessibility features is fine too: a step-free entry, an elevator, a walk-in shower.
Some housing for older people is allowed to say so under the Act. That has its own rules, so ask a lawyer how to word it.
What about the pictures?
A video can signal a preference through its pictures as well as its words. Keep the camera on the home. Film rooms, not people, and put away family photos and other personal items before you shoot. The filming guide covers the rest of what to leave out of the frame.
What about claims like "best deal" or "guaranteed"?
These are not Fair Housing problems, but they are claims a buyer can't check. "The best deal in town", "guaranteed", "once in a lifetime", "number one" and "the perfect home" all promise something you may have to prove. Say what is true and specific: "south-facing windows" rather than "the best light in the city".
How does CastMyListing check for this?
- The AI that writes each script is told to describe the property and never the people.
- Every script and its post text are then checked for the phrases in the groups above: the narration, captions, stickers, cover, end card, post title, caption and hashtags.
- If a problem is found, the preview still renders so you can see it, but the final video does not start until the wording is fixed. You can fix it in the chat or edit the line yourself.
- Scripts are also checked for absolute claims like "guaranteed" and "best deal".
The check catches common wording. It cannot catch everything, and it is not a legal review. You are still the one publishing, so read every video and post before it goes out.
Questions
Can I say "perfect for families" in a listing video?
It is best not to. Saying who a home is perfect for describes people, not the property, and can suggest a preference based on familial status. Describe what the home has instead, like the number of bedrooms or a fenced yard.
Which groups does the Fair Housing Act protect?
Federal law names seven: race, color, religion, sex, disability (the law says "handicap"), familial status and national origin. Many states and cities protect more groups, so check the rules where the home is.
Why avoid "safe neighborhood" in a listing video?
"Safe" is a judgment a buyer can't check, and it can be read as a signal about who lives in an area. Describe facts instead, like a staffed front desk or a dead-end street.
Does CastMyListing check videos for Fair Housing problems?
Yes. Every script and its post text are checked for phrases that describe people instead of the property. A preview still renders so you can see the problem, but the final video does not start until it is fixed. The check is not a legal review, so read every video before you post it.
Next
See everything that is checked before you see a video on the features page.