Summer 2017 Special Issue Coach's Quiz

We’ve given you seven strategies to help your community make a good first impression. 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

If you run an ad describing the property as “Perfect for empty nesters,” it could trigger a fair housing complaint. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #2

You could raise concerns about discrimination based on race or national origin just from the way you handle phone calls and emails—even if you don’t know what the prospect looks like.

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

You overhear a leasing consultant saying that, because of the constant news about terrorism, he doesn’t trust Middle Eastern or Muslim men. Since he has a right to his personal opinions, you shouldn’t worry that it could cause fair housing trouble. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

A prospect in a wheelchair asks about available two-bedroom units. You have several units available, but you think that it would be better for him to live on the ground floor, so it’s okay to tell him only about those units. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules #1 & #2 apply here:

     Rule #1: Review Your Advertising and Marketing

     Rule #2: Take Stock of Your Online Presence

You could trigger a fair housing complaint for discriminatory advertising—whether your ad appears in print or online. Even if you don’t intend to discriminate against families with children, an ordinary reader could interpret the phrase, “perfect for empty nesters” to suggest a preference for couples who don’t have children living at home—and against families with young children. Even if it doesn’t trigger a complaint, ads like these give the impression that families with children aren’t welcome at your community.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #3 applies here:

     Rule #3: Get Back to People ASAP

The way you handle phone calls and emails could raise concerns about linguistic profiling—discrimination against a person based on how his voice sounds—if the prospect gets the impression that he is unwelcome or is being treated differently based on his race or national origin.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #4 applies here:

     Rule #4: Welcome Visitors to Your Leasing Office

Although everyone has the right to have his own personal beliefs and opinions, the leasing consultant’s comments do raise fair housing concerns. If his suspicions affect his attitude or behavior toward anyone who looks or sounds like he may be Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent, then it could lead to a perception of bias—if not outright discrimination—based on religion or national origin.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #6 applies here:

     Rule #6: Tell Prospects About All Available Units

Even if you don’t mean to discriminate, you may be accused of unlawful steering by limiting his housing choices because of your opinion, based on his disability, about where he’d prefer to live.