Get started free

Fair Housing Checker for listing descriptions

Paste listing remarks, ad copy or a caption. We highlight wording that could raise Fair Housing concerns and suggest neutral alternatives.

For real estate agents

One check, any copy you publish

Catch risky wording before your listing goes live.

Paste listing remarks, ad copy or a social caption. Flagged phrases are highlighted with the reason and a neutral replacement.

MLS remarks

Charming starter home, perfect for young couples. Updated kitchen and a sunny yard.

Listing remarksMLS descriptions and property websites.
Flyer headline

Your exclusive retreat, walking distance to downtown.

Ad copyFlyers, postcards, sign riders and paid ads.
Instagram caption

Just listed! Steps from St. Mark’s church and a man cave in the basement.

Social captionsInstagram, Facebook and TikTok posts.
Free, no signup needed. Your text isn’t stored.
Your listing remarks
Charming 3-bed starter home, perfect for young couples! Walking distance to St. Mark’s Church and top-rated schools in a safe neighborhood. The master suite has a walk-in closet, plus a mother-in-law unit over the garage and a man cave in the basement. Exclusive, family-friendly street. No Section 8.
48 words
9 phrases to review3 likely problems6 use caution
“perfect for young couples”
Familial status
Likely problem

Says who the home is “for.” That can signal a preference for certain household types, which the Fair Housing Act prohibits.

“Walking distance to St. Mark’s Church”
Religion
Likely problem

Pointing to a place of worship can suggest the home suits people of a certain faith.

“safe neighborhood”
Race · National origin
Use caution

“Safe” is subjective and has been used as a coded signal. Describe features or link to public data instead.

“master suite”
Industry guidance
Use caution

Not a legal violation, but most MLSs and brokerages now prefer “primary.”

“mother-in-law unit”
Familial status · Sex
Use caution

Assumes who will live there. “ADU” is the standard term for a second unit.

“man cave”
Sex
Use caution

Gendered room name. A neutral name describes the space for any buyer.

“Exclusive”
Race · National origin
Use caution

Historically used to imply some buyers weren’t welcome. Usually fine for amenities, risky for neighborhoods.

“family-friendly”
Familial status
Use caution

Can read as a preference for households with children. Describe the features instead.

“No Section 8”
Source of income
Likely problem

Many states and cities protect renters and buyers who use housing vouchers. Refusing them can be unlawful.

Educational tool, not legal advice.
It flags common risky wording from HUD guidance and state fair housing rules. It can miss context or flag fine uses. When in doubt, check with your broker.

How it works

Check listing copy in three steps

  1. Step 1

    Paste your copy

    MLS remarks, flyer text, an ad headline or an Instagram caption.

  2. Step 2

    Review the flags

    Phrases are highlighted by severity, with the protected class and a plain-English reason.

  3. Step 3

    Replace and copy

    Swap in neutral wording with one tap, then copy the cleaned text.

Examples

Common phrases, and what to say instead

BeforeFamilial status
Perfect for young couples
AfterPerfect for entertaining
BeforeReligion
Walking distance to St. Mark’s Church
AfterClose to shops and parks
BeforeSex · Industry
Master suite and a man cave
AfterPrimary suite and a bonus room

Why it matters

Fair Housing rules cover every ad you publish

Ads are covered by federal law

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to publish any ad that indicates a preference or limitation based on a protected class, including listing remarks and social posts.

Many states protect more groups

State and local laws add protections such as source of income, marital status, age and sexual orientation, so wording that’s fine in one place can still be a problem in another.

Intent isn’t the test

A complaint looks at what the words say to a reader, not what you meant. Neutral, feature-based copy avoids the question.

Guide

How to write Fair Housing-safe listing remarks

Describe the home, not the buyer

The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to publish an ad that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on a protected class. The simplest way to stay clear is to describe features, not people. “Three bedrooms and a fenced yard” says the same thing as “perfect for a young family” without suggesting who should live there.

Many states add protections

State and local laws often protect more groups than federal law, including source of income, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and age. A phrase like “no Section 8” is unlawful wherever source of income is protected, even though it might not be elsewhere.

Watch the subtle words

Words like “exclusive”, “safe”, “walking distance” and “master” aren’t always violations, but they can read as preferences or exclusions. Swapping them for specific, neutral facts (“0.4 miles to the park”, “primary suite”) is clearer for every reader.

Worked example

“Charming starter home, perfect for young couples, steps from St. Mark’s” becomes “Updated 3-bed starter home, 0.3 miles to shops and the park.” Same appeal, no protected-class signals.

Questions about the Fair Housing Checker

Not always, but it can read as a preference for households with children. Describing features (parks, yard, quiet street) says the same thing without the risk.