My roommate is moving out and is putting an ad out to take his spot. There was a reply from a guy who was interested but he has 2 young kids. Unfortunately I do not want a roommate with kids. Can I legally tell him no or am I violating a discriminatory law?

The Fair Housing Laws in the U. S. prohibit the discrimination by sellers of
Property and landlords based on the following:

Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability).

There is no law saying you have to live inside an apartment, under the same roof
With children, if you don't wish to do so. The landlord would be in violation for
Refusing to rent a vacancy to someone with children.

Here's a link with more information by state.


Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders - HUD