April 2018 Coach's Quiz
We’ve given you seven rules to help you face your fair housing fears and everyday dilemmas. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH’s Quiz to see what you have learned.
INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on.
QUESTION #1
Your community has a written policy to comply with fair housing law. You’ve never arranged formal training for your employees, but you know they’re all experienced professionals who would never dream of intentionally discriminating against anyone based on his or her race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or religion. When you receive a notice about an upcoming fair housing seminar hosted by your local apartment association, what should you do?
a. Throw away the notice, because your leasing staff doesn’t need it.
b. Send only the leasing consultant you hired recently.
c. Send your entire leasing staff.
d. Send all your employees.
QUESTION #2
Five years ago, you completed a top-to-bottom review of all your written policies and procedures. Since the Fair Housing Act hasn’t changed, you don’t need to worry about doing it again anytime soon. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #3
Despite your community’s no-pet policy, you could be accused of disability discrimination if you turn people away because they have an assistance animal. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #4
An applicant says he needs an exception to the weight limit in your pet policy for his emotional support animal and hands you a certificate that looks like he got it online. You can reject his request because he’s obviously trying to pass off his pet as an assistance animal. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: d
Reason: Rule #1 applies here.
Rule #1: Knowledge Is Power
You should provide all your employees with fair housing training on a regular basis. It’s essential for everyone working at the community, regardless of his or her job, to understand what’s okay—and not okay—to do or say when interacting with applicants, residents, and guests at the community.
Wrong answers explained:
a. Despite your confidence that your employees would never commit intentional discrimination, you could face a fair housing complaint from even inadvertent comments or actions.
b. Fair housing training is important to keep even experienced staff members updated on recent developments in fair housing law.
c. Fair housing claims could result from the conduct of any staff member, so you should not limit training to only your leasing staff.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rules #2 & #3 apply here.
Rule #2: Put It in Writing
Rule #3: Keep Up with Current Events
It’s good to have written policies and procedures, but don’t neglect them once you put them in place. The FHA has been on the books for decades, but much has changed since you last reviewed the policies five years ago. Consider, for example, HUD’s recent guidance on criminal background screening and limited English proficiency. You should also find out about any changes to state or local fair housing laws that may affect your community
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rules #5 & #6 apply here.
Rule #5: Pay Attention to Disability Concerns
Rule #6: Carefully Consider Requests for Assistance Animals
You could trigger a discrimination complaint if you deny housing to people just because they have assistance animals. If an applicant qualifies for the housing, follow the rules to determine whether you must make an exception to your no-pet policy as a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability.
QUESTION #4
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rule #7 applies here.
Rule #7: Be Prepared to Handle Online Certifications
Knowing the rules on disability verification is essential to avoid the common mistakes that lead to complaints involving requests for assistance animals. Even if an applicant hands you something that appears to be a fake service animal certificate, you still have an obligation to consider, respond, and act upon his request for an exception to the weight limit so he can keep an assistance animal.
See The Lesson For This Quiz
| How to Face Your Fair Housing Fears and Everyday Dilemmas |