Final answer:
The Massachusetts Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination in housing based on certain protected categories. Owner-occupied 2-family and 3-family residences have some exemptions and exceptions. There are no exemptions for matters dealing with public or rental assistance recipients, and non-owner-occupied 2-family residences may be required to make accommodations for wheelchair handicapped tenants.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Massachusetts Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination in housing based on certain protected categories such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, source of income, disability, and sexual orientation. However, there are some exemptions and exceptions to this law based on certain criteria.
a. Owner-occupied 2-family residences are generally exempt from certain rental matters under the Massachusetts Fair Housing Law. This means that owners living in these residences have more flexibility in choosing their tenants and may not be required to follow certain fair housing guidelines that apply to larger rental properties.
b. Owner-occupied 3-family residences are generally exempt from the requirement to rent to families with children, if at least one tenant in the residence is 62 years or older. This exemption is based on the idea of providing housing for older individuals without the burden of having families with children.
c. There are no specific exemptions in matters dealing with public or rental assistance recipients under the Massachusetts Fair Housing Law. This means that landlords cannot discriminate against individuals or families who receive public or rental assistance based on their source of income.
d. A non-owner-occupied 2-family residence may have to make reasonable accommodations and modifications for wheelchair handicapped tenants under the Massachusetts Fair Housing Law. This includes paying for necessary renovations to ensure accessibility for the tenant.