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Fair housingSubject 9 of 19

Blockbusting

Inducing or attempting to induce a sale or rental by suggesting that protected-class entry or change will cause harmful neighborhood effects.

Direct answer

What does Blockbusting mean?

Inducing or attempting to induce a sale or rental by suggesting that protected-class entry or change will cause harmful neighborhood effects.

Exam cue: The prohibited tactic uses fear about demographic change to generate transactions.

What does it look like in a question?

New York example

A licensee tells owners to sell now because people of a particular national origin are moving nearby.

Common exam trap

What should you not confuse it with?

Blockbusting is not ordinary discussion of documented market data without protected-class pressure.

Related fair housing terms

Assistance animalAn animal that works, provides assistance or performs tasks, or provides disability-related emotional support under applicable housing rules.Disparate treatmentIntentional or differential treatment of people because of a protected characteristic.Fair housing testingA method of comparing housing experiences using people with matched profiles to identify possible discrimination.Familial statusA federal fair housing protection covering households with one or more children under 18 in specified custody or expected-child situations.Implicit biasAttitudes or associations that can affect judgment without conscious intent.Lawful source of incomeA New York protected characteristic covering lawful income used to pay for housing, including specified public and private sources.
Sources used4 references with section locators

The curriculum citation confirms exam scope. Definition and rule citations support the explanation itself. Links and locators were checked on August 26, 2026.

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