From the Hotline

By Teri Henning
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: Can we identify the relevant public school district in a housing ad? Does it make a difference whether the ad is place by a private individual or a real estate agent?

A: Generally speaking, you can identify a public school district in a housing ad. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission takes the position that public school districts can be mentioned in an ad, as long as the advertiser does not identify school districts selectively when it is marketing a house to families with children (obviously, difficult to tell) or use it as a "code word" in communities that are (for example) primarily minority, Caucasian, etc. The answer is the same, whether the ad is placed by a real estate agent or a private individual.

The newspaper should have and maintain a consistent policy on this issue. 

It is important to remember, though, that you should not reference religious schools or landmarks in housing ads. In other words, if the neighborhood is within walking distance of a Catholic school, you should not refer to the school in an ad.

Use this link to the Headlines & Deadlines archive of Teri Henning's weekly 'From the Hotline' columns. 

[HOTLINE ARCHIVE]