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Fair Housing Training
REALTOR® are required to complete Fair Housing / Anti-Bias Training upon becoming a member, and every 3 years thereafter, coinciding with the Code of Ethics training timeline. This requirement is in addition to the Code of Ethics training. Qualified training must be of not less than 2 hours of instructional time. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the National Association of REALTORS®. This requirement will begin January 1, 2025 with a deadline of December 31, 2027.
Hear more about the Fair Housing Requirement from 2025 GBAR President Mark Triglione!
Fair housing is essential for strong communities and a healthy economy. The National Association of REALTORS®, Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®, and Greater Boston Real Estate Board are committed to ensuring equal access to housing through advocacy, education, and legal guidance. REALTORS® promote equal service for all and work with agencies like the Boston Office of Fair Housing & Equity, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to uphold and expand fair housing protections. State and federal laws prohibit discrimination in all aspects of housing, ensuring everyone has a fair chance at homeownership.
In Massachusetts, it is unlawful for a housing provider to discriminate against a current or prospective tenant or home buyer based on:
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• Race
• Color
• National Origin
• Religion
• Age
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• Sex
• Familial Status (i.e. children)
• Marital Status
• Sexual Orientation
• Gender Identity
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• Disability
• Source of Income (e.g. a Section 8 voucher)
• Veteran or Active Military Status
• Genetic Information
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Some examples of unlawful practices include:
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Failing or refusing to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, including exceptions to policies (for example, a "no pets" policy) or reasonable physical modifications (i.e. grab bars or wheelchair ramps).
Ethical and Professional Standard Enforcement
Members of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS® and Greater Boston Real Estate Board, as well as all REALTORS®, are bound by a national Code of Ethics that defines their professional conduct. Article 10 of the Code prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. REALTORS® must provide equal professional services to all, refrain from discriminatory or harassing speech or behavior, and ensure fair treatment in all real estate employment practices.
If you have been denied housing, charged a higher amount of rent or fees, subjected to harassment, or otherwise treated unfairly by a housing provider as a result of your status as a member of a protected class, you may file a complaint with the:
For real estate licenses who are REALTORS®, you may file an ethics complaint with their local REALTOR® association. To file a complaint against a member of the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS®, you can access our online and printable complaint forms and learn more about the ethics complaint process here.
For more information on legal rights & responsibilities for tenants and landlords check out these resources:
GBAR is offering the following options that fulfill the Fair Housing requirement and offer 2 CE Credits:
Rentals the Right Way! (8 CE credits offered) - Webinar
August 11, August 12, & August 13, 2026
9:30AM - 11:30AM
GBAR Members: $150 | Non-members: $200
Register Today!
CE's with EASE – Protecting the Protected Class - (2 CE credits offered) - Webinar
August 14, 2026
9:30AM - 11:30AM
GBAR Members: free | Non-members: $20
Register Today!
Rentals the Right Way! (8 CE credits offered)
November 10 & November 11, 2026
9:30AM - 4:30PM & 9:00AM - 1:00PM
68 Main Street, Reading
GBAR Members: $175 | Non-members: $225
Register Today!
Members can complete the Fair Housing requirement for FREE with any one (1) of the following options:
Fairhaven 2.0: Essential Fair Housing Education
Step into Fairhaven 2.0—NAR’s dynamic online simulation where real estate professionals tackle fair housing challenges head-on. Through realistic scenarios, practical insights, and historical context, you’ll explore key topics like steering, bias, disability accommodations, and standing up for clients facing discrimination. This course helps ensure that your business practices comply with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local law, as well as the Realtor Code of Ethics. It also meets the new NAR fair housing training requirement that takes effect January 1, 2025. Best of all, it’s free for NAR members.
Your fair housing skills start here!
Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
REALTORS® are committed to abiding by fair housing laws and the Code of Ethics. But sometimes, our brains take shortcuts that can lead us astray. Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing is an NAR certificate course that helps real estate professionals interrupt stereotypical thinking so they can avoid fair housing pitfalls and provide equal professional service to every customer or client. Participants will learn about the mind science of identity, study how implicit bias can result in fair housing violations and engage in interactive exercises to enhance communication skills and business relationships with clients of all backgrounds.
Learn More and Register for Bias Override Training here!
At Home with Diversity (AHWD)
The At Home with Diversity® certification course equips real estate professionals to thrive in today’s diverse and multicultural market. It provides training on cultural awareness, the application of U.S. fair housing laws in real estate practice, and strategies for building inclusive, professional business practices that serve clients from all backgrounds.
At Home With Diversity (AHWD) Course Only!
Fair Housing Resources