When valuing a property, if an appraiser treats a person differently because of a protected characteristic, this is best described as:

• A. Disparate bias
• B. Disparate impact
• C. Reverse discrimination
• D. Disparate treatment

Answer: (D)

Intentional discrimination based on a protected characteristic is what this describes. When an appraiser treats someone differently specifically because of protected status, it is disparate treatment—a direct, prohibited form of discrimination under fair housing laws. This hinges on intent to discriminate, rather than the outcome of a policy or practice. Disparate impact would apply if a neutral policy disproportionately affects a protected class, even without demonstrating that the decision-maker intended to discriminate. The terms reverse discrimination and disparate bias aren’t the formal framework used here. So the situation best fits disparate treatment.