• NY Apartment Law
  • Fair & Affordable Housing
  • Commercial Lease Law
  • Guidebooks
  • Archives
  • Protected Classes
  • Management Issues
  • eAlerts
  • Resources
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • NY Apartment Law
  • New York Apartment Law Insider
  • New York Landlord V. Tenant
  • Co-Op & Condo Case Law Digest
  • New York Rent Regulation Checklist, Fourth Edition
  • 2025 New York City Apartment Management Checklist
  • Fair & Affordable Housing
  • Fair Housing Coach
  • Assisted Housing Management Insider
  • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
  • Fair Housing Boot Camp. Basic Training For New Hires
  • Commercial Lease Law
  • Commercial Lease Law Insider
  • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
  • Best Commercial Lease Clauses: Tenant's Edition
  • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
  • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
  • Protected Classes
  • All Protected Classes
  • Disability
  • Familial Status/Age
  • Race/Color/National Origin
  • Religion
  • Sex/Sexual Orientation
  • Other Classes
  • Management Issues
  • Accommodations
  • Advertising/Applications
  • Complaints/Investigations
  • Employees/Contractors
  • Eviction
  • Leasing
  • Other Issues
  • eAlerts
  • Cases and Settlements
  • HUD News
  • Reports & Studies
  • Other
  • Resources
  • Fair Housing Coach Resources
May 21, 2025
We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
The Habitat Group Logo
  • NY Apartment Law
    • New York Apartment Law Insider
    • New York Landlord V. Tenant
    • Co-Op & Condo Case Law Digest
    • New York Rent Regulation Checklist, Fourth Edition
    • 2025 New York City Apartment Management Checklist
  • Fair & Affordable Housing
    • Fair Housing Coach
    • Assisted Housing Management Insider
    • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    • Fair Housing Boot Camp. Basic Training For New Hires
  • Commercial Lease Law
    • Commercial Lease Law Insider
    • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
      • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
    • Best Commercial Lease Clauses: Tenant's Edition
  • Guidebooks
  • May 21, 2025
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • May 21, 2025
FHC Logo.webp
  • Archives
  • Protected Classes
    • All Protected Classes
    • Disability
    • Familial Status/Age
    • Race/Color/National Origin
    • Religion
    • Sex/Sexual Orientation
    • Other Classes
  • Management Issues
    • Accommodations
    • Advertising/Applications
    • Complaints/Investigations
    • Employees/Contractors
    • Eviction
    • Leasing
    • Other Issues
  • eAlerts
    • Cases and Settlements
    • HUD News
    • Reports & Studies
    • Other
  • Resources
    • Fair Housing Coach Resources
Free Issue
The Habitat Group Logo
May 21, 2025
  • Log In
  • Log Out
  • My Account
Home » COACH’s Pop Quiz!

COACH’s Pop Quiz!

Nov 21, 2013

Q: If you say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” to prospects or residents this time of year, then you could be accused of—and a court could find you liable for—religious discrimination under fair housing law. True or false?

A: False. Housing providers must abide by fair housing law, which bans discrimination based on religion, but you don’t have to be a “Grinch” by ignoring the holidays or outlawing seasonal decorations out of fear of a discrimination complaint. The key is to celebrate the general festivity of the season without promoting a particular religion or particular religious holiday. In that way, you’ll satisfy fair housing concerns by showing that your community welcomes everyone—regardless of their religious practices or beliefs.

You can’t go wrong with secular messages, such as “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays,” but you won’t be accused of religious discrimination if you wish prospects or residents a “Merry Christmas.” In a 1995 memo on advertising, HUD says that the use of secularized terms or symbols relating to religious holidays—such as Santa Claus or “Merry Christmas”—do not violate fair housing law.

And see the Coach’s December lesson, “Make Everyone Feel at Home During the Holidays,” for seven tips on how to avoid potential fair housing problems during the holiday season.

Other
    • Related Articles

      COACH's Pop Quiz!

      COACH's Pop Quiz!

      COACH’s Pop Quiz!

    Popular Stories

    • How to Handle Income Changes from the Social Security Fairness Act

      Apr 11, 2025
      Feature
      By Eric Yoo
    • HUD Delays Implementation of HOME Final Rule Amid Regulatory Freeze

      Feb 14, 2025
      Feature
      By Eric Yoo
    • Publications
      • Assisted Housing Management Insider
      • Commercial Lease Law Insider
      • Co-op & Condo Case Law Tracker Digest
      • Fair Housing Coach
      • New York Apartment Law Insider
      • New York Landlord v. Tenant
      • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    • Additional Links
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise
      • Group Subscriptions
      • Privacy Policy
    • Boards of Advisors
      • Assisted Housing Management Insider
      • Commercial Lease Law Insider
      • Fair Housing Coach
      • New York Apartment Law Insider
      • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
    ©2025. All Rights Reserved. Content: The Habitat Group. CMS, Hosting & Web Development: ePublishing
    The Habitat Group Logo
    • NY Apartment Law
      • New York Apartment Law Insider
      • New York Landlord V. Tenant
      • Co-Op & Condo Case Law Digest
      • New York Rent Regulation Checklist, Fourth Edition
      • 2025 New York City Apartment Management Checklist
    • Fair & Affordable Housing
      • Fair Housing Coach
      • Assisted Housing Management Insider
      • Tax Credit Housing Management Insider
      • Fair Housing Boot Camp. Basic Training For New Hires
    • Commercial Lease Law
      • Commercial Lease Law Insider
      • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
        • Best Commercial Lease Clauses, 17/e
      • Best Commercial Lease Clauses: Tenant's Edition
    • Guidebooks
    • May 21, 2025
    • Log In
    • Log Out
    • My Account
    • Subscribe
    • May 21, 2025
    FHC Logo.webp
    • Archives
    • Protected Classes
      • All Protected Classes
      • Disability
      • Familial Status/Age
      • Race/Color/National Origin
      • Religion
      • Sex/Sexual Orientation
      • Other Classes
    • Management Issues
      • Accommodations
      • Advertising/Applications
      • Complaints/Investigations
      • Employees/Contractors
      • Eviction
      • Leasing
      • Other Issues
    • eAlerts
      • Cases and Settlements
      • HUD News
      • Reports & Studies
      • Other
    • Resources
      • Fair Housing Coach Resources
    Free Issue
    The Habitat Group Logo
    May 21, 2025
    • Log In
    • Log Out
    • My Account