An advertisement reads: "female roommate sought." Is this legal?

The advertisement seeking a "female roommate" is considered legal primarily because the Fair Housing Act allows for certain exceptions regarding gender and occupancy in shared living situations. In scenarios where individuals are seeking a roommate to share an apartment or house, landlords or existing tenants can specify preferences based on gender as such arrangements typically involve a more personal living situation compared to renting entire units. This is often seen as a necessity for comfort and compatibility among roommates.

In the case of shared living accommodations, individuals have the right to seek roommates based on factors like gender, which may contribute to a more suitable living arrangement. However, these exceptions have limits; for instance, they may not apply in cases where the rental unit is being offered to the general public at large in a more formalized rental context.

This reasoning illustrates why the advertisement in question can be deemed legal. The other options suggest illegality or conditional legality that does not align with the broader understanding of housing laws concerning shared living arrangements.