June 2013 Coach's Quiz

We’ve suggested seven rules for complying with fair housing law when dealing with members of ethnic and religious groups. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH’s Quiz to see what you’ve 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. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

A woman and her adult daughter come to look at an advertised one-bedroom unit. The unit is for the mother, who doesn’t speak English, so the daughter is translating and explaining the paperwork to the mother. You’ve had problems in the past in dealing with people who don’t speak English. You usually show advertised units during a prospect’s first appointment, but you tell them that they can’t see it till next week, knowing that the unit will probably be rented by then. Even though you didn’t directly deny her housing, your actions could still lead to fair housing trouble. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #2

A young couple is interested in renting a one-bedroom unit. They recently moved here from Russia, so you tell them about a vacancy next door to a Russian-speaking family. Although there are other available units, you believe they’d be more comfortable living near others who share the same cultural background. Since you’re looking out for their best interests, you can’t be accused of a fair housing violation. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #3

Last week, a couple calls your office to complain about their neighbor, who has started spreading rumors that they are “up to no good.” They said they didn’t have any problem with her until recently, after the husband grew his beard long and his wife started wearing a headscarf in keeping with their religious beliefs. Over the past few weeks, they’ve received several anonymous letters and phone calls insulting their religion and accusing them of being terrorists. To avoid potential fair housing problems, you should investigate the situation and try to resolve it. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

EXTRA CREDIT: Name That Rule!

You’ve recently heard about a fair housing complaint accusing a community of denying housing to people of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, except in two of the community’s 21 buildings. The complaint claimed that the property manager communicated a strong dislike for Middle Eastern and South Asian people to other employees, frequently referring to them as “curry people.” Allegedly, she wouldn’t let them live anywhere else in the community because they “stink” and “completely destroyed” apartments, leaving the walls smelling of curry after they moved out and making neighboring residents want to live elsewhere. She was also accused of enforcing community rules, especially those against clutter on patios or liquids leaking from cars, more strictly against residents of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent as compared to other residents. The complaint also alleged that she told leasing agents that two former leasing agents, who had reported the property manager’s conduct to superiors, were almost immediately fired as a result.

Based on these allegations, can you name which of the seven rules may have been violated (note that more than one rule may apply)?