Virginia House Bill HB1137

Virginia 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/22
• Refer: 1/13/22

Caption

Virginia Fair Housing Law; removes certain exemptions.

Impact

The potential impact of HB 1137 on state laws includes the clarification and restrictive conditions under which individuals may sell or rent homes without adhering to broader fair housing regulations. By stipulating conditions such as the maximum number of properties owned and pending the use of broker services, the bill may reduce compliance burdens for homeowners looking to engage in real estate transactions. However, the adjustments also raise questions about the extent to which these exemptions may allow for discriminatory practices in housing, particularly against marginalized groups. Discussions among stakeholders could foresee these concerns and the bill's implications in practice.

Summary

House Bill 1137 aims to amend § 36-96.2 of the Code of Virginia, specifically addressing exemptions within the Virginia Fair Housing Law. The bill outlines certain conditions and limitations under which the law does not apply to the sale or rental of single-family houses by private individuals. Importantly, the bill states that an individual owner may maintain exemptions if they own no more than three single-family houses at a time and do not utilize typical sales or rental services provided by brokers or agents. This modification reflects an attempt to regulate how private individuals can conduct real estate transactions without being bound by the full extent of fair housing laws.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention around HB 1137 pertains to its exemptions regarding how landlords may discriminate based on specific factors, including the criminal history of applicants. The language within the bill allows rental applications to require disclosure of criminal backgrounds. Critics of this provision argue that it could disproportionately affect individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who may have prior convictions. Therefore, it invites a deeper debate on the balance between property owners' rights and the necessity for fair housing practices.