Can you say “private community” in an MLS listing? It depends

Why

"Private" is on LIBOR's caution list when it describes who gets in. Private driveway, entrance, setting or property are on the acceptable lists. If it's truly a gated or private-road community, describe that feature.

Safer wording

The checker's rewrite for “private community”. It keeps your sentence and swaps the part that describes people.

• quiet community

What the tag means

Depends means it's fine or not depending on how it's used. Read the reason, then decide for your sentence.

What ListingLint matches

This rule is tested against its own examples on every change. It catches private community. It deliberately does not fire on: private driveway and backyard.

Check your own wording

Paste a sentence or your whole listing. It runs ListingLint's real rule engine in your browser, and nothing is uploaded. private community

1 phrase to look at

• Depends “private community”

  "Private" is on LIBOR's caution list when it describes who gets in. Private driveway, entrance, setting or property are on the acceptable lists. If it's truly a gated or private-road community, describe that feature.

  Try: quiet community

A word check, not a legal review. Open the full checker for fixes, the fact lock and the MLS character count.

What the law covers here

Steering means guiding buyers or renters toward or away from an area because of a protected class. HUD's rule bans restricting someone's choices by word or conduct. One of its examples is telling a buyer they wouldn't be comfortable or compatible with the people who live there. These code words get flagged because of how an ordinary reader may take them. The words aren't banned on their own.

• HUD rule on steering and other prohibited conduct, 24 CFR § 100.70
• Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(c)

Sources

• Long Island Board of REALTORS®: Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase Guidelines (Mar. 2025)
• Fair Housing Advertising Word and Phrase List (New York Press Assn.; source: Oklahoma Press Assn.)
• CRMLS Fair Housing Word & Phrase List (Apr. 2021)

Related phrases

• exclusive neighborhoods Depends
• restricted Caution
• board approval required Avoid
• preferred community Avoid
• safe neighborhood Caution
• prestigious neighborhood Minor
• traditional neighborhood Depends
• near country club Minor

All steering code words phrases on one page · The 12-check listing checklist

Not legal advice. Word lists can't judge context, and laws differ by state and city, with some protecting more classes than federal law does. If you're unsure about a listing, ask your broker or a fair housing attorney. Rule steer-private, ListingLint rules v2026.10.2.