We’ve given you seven rules on how to prevent fair housing claims based on race or color. 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.

QUESTION #1

It’s illegal to refuse to rent to any minority prospects, but you can’t get into fair housing trouble if you bend the truth about available units when they ask about vacancies. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #2

An African-American couple visits the leasing office asking about available one-bedroom units. Although there are three units available, the leasing agent shows the couple only two of them. She doesn’t mention the third unit because she has heard about racially insensitive comments made by the resident of the unit next to it. Since she’s trying to protect the couple from racial discrimination, her actions do not violate fair housing law. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

A white resident may pursue a fair housing claim if the community, its staff, or others harass or discriminate against her because her boyfriend is African American. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

A resident has repeatedly complained that his upstairs neighbor has been harassing him because of his race. If you ignore his complaints, the resident could sue your community for discrimination or harassment under fair housing law. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #1 applies here:

     Rule #1: Keep Race Out of the Leasing Process

Subtle forms of discrimination are just as unlawful as blatantly discriminatory practices. Under the FHA, it’s unlawful to provide inaccurate or untrue information about the availability of units for discriminatory reasons, so you may not deny a visit to the rental property by telling a prospect that an available unit has been rented already, or limit information about suitably or comparably priced available units, because of his race or other protected characteristic.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #3 applies here:

     Rule #3: Beware of Unlawful Steering

Even if well meaning, the leasing agent’s actions could be considered unlawful steering—that is, limiting the couple’s housing choices by directing them away from a particular unit because of their race.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules #6 & #7 apply here:

Rule #6: Prevent Personal Biases from Derailing Fair Housing Efforts

Rule #7: Maintain a Zero-Tolerance Policy on Harassment

Fair housing law bars discrimination against residents—whatever their personal characteristics—because of their association with members of a protected group. It’s unlawful to take any adverse action against a resident—such as interfering with her right to enjoy the premises or threatening or evicting her—because of racial bias against her friends or guests.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #7 applies here:

     Rule #7: Maintain a Zero-Tolerance Policy on Harassment

Your community could face a fair housing complaint from the resident if you knew or should have known that his neighbor was harassing him because of his race, but did nothing to stop it.