Which of the following is NOT considered a protected class under federal fair housing law?

In the context of federal fair housing law, protected classes are specific groups that are safeguarded from discrimination in housing-related activities. The Fair Housing Act, which is the primary federal law addressing this issue, lists several characteristics that cannot be the basis for discrimination when renting or selling housing.

Religion and national origin are explicitly mentioned in the Fair Housing Act as protected classes, alongside race, color, sex, familial status, disability, and national origin. Children are also included under the familial status category, which provides protection against discrimination based on the presence of children under the age of 18 in a household.

Marital status, however, is not recognized as a protected class under federal law. This means that while state and local laws may provide additional protections concerning marital status, it does not hold the same federal protections as the other options listed. Therefore, identifying marital status as not being a protected class aligns with the provisions of the Fair Housing Act, making it the correct choice.