September 2013 Coach's Quiz

We’ve reviewed some recent court cases to show how communities have fared in defending themselves from fair housing claims. Now you can 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. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

Owners may be held responsible for the discriminatory actions of their agents and employees. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #2

Under fair housing law, you may require residents with certain types of disabilities to get extra rental insurance to cover liability concerns. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

You could face a discrimination claim simply by ignoring a request for a reasonable accommodation. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

As long as your community adopts occupancy standards allowing two persons per bedroom, you can’t be accused of violating fair housing laws protecting families with children. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: a

Remember the case involving the dispute about the sublease? Though the property manager and the owner were husband and wife, the same principles apply in multifamily communities, large and small. In general, the law holds owners responsible for discriminatory conduct by agents acting on their behalf, such as property managers, leasing agents, maintenance workers—and even vendors, in some cases.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Remember the case about the disabled man and his sister? The court ruled that the owner was liable for requiring the sister to get a $1 million rental insurance policy because of his disability. The evidence showed that the owner didn’t require residents without disabilities to obtain such coverage. His liability concerns were based on stereotypes about people with autism—not objective evidence that the brother might pose a threat to neighbors or property due to his disability.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Remember the case about the disabled vet and his dog? The court ruled that the community had effectively denied the resident’s request to keep his dog as an assistance animal even though it never officially acted on the request or took steps to remove it.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

HUD’s two-person per bedroom standard is only a general guideline to determine whether a community’s occupancy standards are reasonable under federal fair housing law. Communities may have to allow more than two people per bedroom based on applicable state or local occupancy standards.