Cal. Civ. Code § 3-101
Definitions. The following definitions are applicable strictly in the context of this Article: (A) Real Property. "Real property" includes buildings, structures, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein. (B) Real Estate Transaction. "Real estate transaction" includes the sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property, or any act that otherwise makes available such a transaction or alters a person's rights to real property. "Real estate transaction" also includes the brokering or appraising of residential real property and the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: (1) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or(2) secured by residential real estate. (C) Housing Accommodations. "Housing accommodation" includes any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one or more individuals. (D) Real Estate Broker or Salesman. "Real estate broker or salesman" means a person, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, or who holds oneself out as engaged in these. (E) Familial Status. "Familial status" means one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with: (1) a parent or person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or(2) the designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.The protections afforded by this Article against discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. (F) Conciliation. "Conciliation" means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a charge, or by the investigation of such charge, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved party, the respondent and the Department. (G) Conciliation Agreement. "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation. (H) Covered Multifamily Dwellings. As used in Section 3-102.1, "covered multifamily dwellings" means: (1) buildings consisting of 4 or more units if such buildings have one or more elevators; and(2) ground floor units in other buildings consisting of 4 or more units.(I) Immigration Status. "Immigration status" means a person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status
Operative Text
Definitions. The following definitions are applicable strictly in the context of this Article: (A) Real Property. "Real property" includes buildings, structures, real estate, lands, tenements, leaseholds, interests in real estate cooperatives, condominiums, and hereditaments, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein. (B) Real Estate Transaction. "Real estate transaction" includes the sale, exchange, rental or lease of real property, or any act that otherwise makes available such a transaction or alters a person's rights to real property. "Real estate transaction" also includes the brokering or appraising of residential real property and the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: (1) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining a dwelling; or(2) secured by residential real estate. (C) Housing Accommodations. "Housing accommodation" includes any improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as the home or residence of one or more individuals. (D) Real Estate Broker or Salesman. "Real estate broker or salesman" means a person, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, or who holds oneself out as engaged in these. (E) Familial Status. "Familial status" means one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with: (1) a parent or person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or(2) the designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or other person.The protections afforded by this Article against discrimination on the basis of familial status apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. (F) Conciliation. "Conciliation" means the attempted resolution of issues raised by a charge, or by the investigation of such charge, through informal negotiations involving the aggrieved party, the respondent and the Department. (G) Conciliation Agreement. "Conciliation agreement" means a written agreement setting forth the resolution of the issues in conciliation. (H) Covered Multifamily Dwellings. As used in Section 3-102.1, "covered multifamily dwellings" means: (1) buildings consisting of 4 or more units if such buildings have one or more elevators; and(2) ground floor units in other buildings consisting of 4 or more units.(I) Immigration Status. "Immigration status" means a person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status.
Section 3-101 of the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-101) establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Article 3, which governs fair housing and real estate practices in Illinois. The definitions cover a broad range of concepts — from what counts as "real property" and a "real estate transaction" to protected characteristics like "familial status" and "immigration status" — ensuring these terms carry consistent, specific meanings whenever they appear in the Article. Notably, familial status protections extend not only to households with minor children but also to pregnant individuals and those in the process of obtaining legal custody of a minor.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Illinois law should be familiar with the definitions set out in 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-101, because these terms define the scope of conduct regulated throughout Article 3. For example, the broad definition of "real estate transaction" means that activities such as setting rental terms, negotiating leases, and arranging financing can all fall within the Article's reach. Compliant operators generally apply these definitions consistently when evaluating policies related to tenant screening, lease terms, and property accessibility, particularly for covered multifamily dwellings as referenced in Section 3-102.1.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Renters and housing applicants in Illinois benefit from understanding the definitions in 775 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5 § 3-101, because these terms shape who and what is protected under the state's fair housing provisions. The expansive definition of "familial status," for instance, means that protections against family-based discrimination can extend to pregnant individuals and those pursuing legal custody of a minor — not just existing parents. Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination in a housing context may consider contacting a tenant-rights organization, consulting with an attorney, or filing a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, which is the Department referenced in the conciliation process defined by this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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