Under the Fair Housing Practices Act, which action is generally allowed?

Under the Fair Housing Practices Act, engaging in mortgage loan negotiations with someone under 18 is generally allowed because there are no regulations that specifically prohibit financial institutions from negotiating loans with minors. However, it is essential to note that while minors can technically enter into negotiations, they may lack the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract without adult co-signers or guardians involved in the transaction.

This stands in contrast to the other options, which are more directly prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Refusing negotiations based on gender, for instance, is discriminatory and therefore not permitted. Similarly, refusing to rent to individuals with criminal records can also be viewed as an unfair practice unless justified by legitimate business concerns that are not discriminatory in nature. Lastly, prohibiting individuals from renting based solely on pet ownership could be seen as an unreasonable restriction unless it pertains to specific situations related to property damage or allergies, which should be outlined in the rental agreement. Thus, while option B can be contextually permissible, the others involve discriminatory practices that are against the Fair Housing Act's intent to promote equal opportunity in housing.