All Protected Classes

From the Courts: Lessons Learned on Fair Housing Law

March 10, 2015    

For this month’s lesson, the Coach gathered some interesting fair housing cases from the past few months. In some, communities are called to defend their actions when dealing with prospects—over the phone and during on-site visits. Others involve disputes with residents in...

March 2015 Coach's Quiz

February 12, 2015    

We’ve given you eight Dos & Don’ts for dealing with residents who break the rules. 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...

Dos & Don'ts for Dealing with Residents Who Break the Rules

February 12, 2015    

In this month’s lesson, the Coach looks at fair housing problems that can arise when dealing with residents who break the rules. The specifics will vary, but all residents have to abide by some basic rules: They must pay rent, avoid damage to the unit (subject to reasonable wear...

February 2015 Coach's Quiz

January 16, 2015    

In this lesson, we’ve discussed four fair housing trends for 2015—and what they may mean for your community. Now let’s look at how these issues might come up in the real world. Take the COACH’s Quiz to see what you have learned.

INSTRUCTIONS...

2015 Fair Housing Trends: What They Could Mean for Your Community

January 16, 2015    

This month, the Coach takes a look at recent trends—and what they may mean for your fair housing program. The big news is a U.S. Supreme Court case on whether federal fair housing law imposes liability for discrimination based on disparate impact—that is, when a housing...

January 2015 Coach's Quiz

December 19, 2014    

We have given you six rules to help you defend yourself against retaliation claims. 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...

How to Defend Your Community Against Retaliation Claims

December 19, 2014    

This month, the Coach focuses on the rules banning retaliation—a separate, and often overlooked, source of liability under fair housing law. Under the retaliation rules, it’s unlawful to “coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with” anyone exercising a fair...

Year in Review: Highlights from the 2014 Lessons

December 4, 2014    

In this Special Issue, we’re going to wrap up 2014 with a summary of all the lessons covered over the year. Keep it handy—it’s a brief refresher on top fair housing concerns and a helpful index to the full lessons, all of which are available to subscribers to review on—or...

December 2014 Coach's Quiz

November 13, 2014    

We’ve suggested 6 rules for avoiding fair housing problems while providing maintenance services. 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...

Maintaining Your Community Without Violating Fair Housing Law

November 13, 2014    

In this month’s lesson, we’re going to look at how to provide maintenance services to residents at your community without violating fair housing law.

It’s important to maintain the property and respond to residents’ requests for maintenance or repairs, but you...

October 2014 Coach's Quiz

September 15, 2014    

We’ve suggested seven Dos & Don’ts for avoiding fair housing problems when dealing with prospects. 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...

Fair Housing Dos & Don'ts for Dealing with Prospects

September 15, 2014    

In this month’s lesson, Fair Housing Coach spotlights fair housing problems that can arise when dealing with prospects. The majority of fair housing complaints occur during the apartment-seeking and rental-selection phase, says fair housing expert Shirley Robertson. And some have...