Final answer:
The owner of a ten-unit apartment building is legally required to adhere to the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination based on certain protected characteristics in housing-related activities. Studies have shown that subtle forms of discrimination still exist, making compliance a contemporary issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under federal fair housing laws, specifically the Fair Housing Act of 1968, it is illegal for the owner of a ten-unit apartment building to discriminate in the renting, sale, or financing of apartments based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability. This landmark legislation was enacted to combat the widespread discrimination and practices like redlining, which had previously been used to maintain housing segregation.
Despite the protections in place, studies by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other agencies indicate that racial minorities, including black and Hispanic renters and homebuyers, still face subtle forms of discrimination such as undergoing stiffer credit checks and being shown fewer available properties.
To be compliant with federal law, the owner must ensure all potential tenants are treated equally without regard to the protected classes outlined by the Act. However, enforcement continues to be challenging as many discriminatory practices have evolved into less overt but still harmful methods.