Final answer:
The exemption to the Fair Housing Act is moot when a real estate agent represents a buyer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The exemption to the Fair Housing Act that would normally apply is considered moot when a real estate agent represents a landlord. This is because the Fair Housing Act of 1968, also known as the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Although certain exemptions exist for private individuals, these exemptions do not apply when a professional real estate agent is involved in the transaction.
Recent studies by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department illustrate ongoing challenges in fair housing, showing that realtors have presented significantly fewer homes to Black and Asian homebuyers compared to White homebuyers. Furthermore, Hispanic individuals often face more discrimination in renting. The involvement of real estate agents in these transactions implies that exemptions to non-discrimination requirements are not applicable, emphasizing the importance of enforcing the Fair Housing Act in all professional real estate dealings.