May 2012 Coach's Quiz

We've given you six rules to follow for keeping maintenance services from triggering fair housing 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: 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 follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

To avoid fair housing problems, always handle maintenance requests on a first-come, first served basis. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

QUESTION #2

Some female residents complain that employees of the landscaping company you hired often take their lunch break by the pool. They say that a couple of workers have tried to engage them in conversation, commented on how they look in their bathing suits, and repeatedly asked them for dates. Since the workers aren't your employees, you don't have to worry that their behavior could trigger a fair housing complaint against your community. True or false?

1. True.

2. False.

Coach's Answers and Explanations

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #2 and #3 apply here:

Rule #2: Adopt Uniform Policies for Handling Maintenance and Repair Requests

Rule #3: Take Reasonable Accommodation Requests Seriously

In general, communities should adopt policies to handle maintenance and repair requests on a first-come, first-served basis—unless the request involves an emergency. Furthermore, a maintenance or repair request may require immediate attention in some cases if it qualifies as a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rules #4 and #5 apply here:

Rule #4: Take Steps to Prevent Sexual Harassment

Rule #5: Carefully Select and Monitor Outside Contractors

Even if the workers involved aren't your employees, community owners or managers may be held liable if they knew or should have known that a contractor was sexually harassing residents, but failed in their duty to stop it. Once you've received a complaint about the landscapers, you should report it to the company and follow up to ensure that the company is taking steps to get its employees to stop the offending conduct.