January 2018 Coach's Quiz

We’ve given you five New Year’s resolutions to help you avoid fair housing trouble this year. 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

A prospect says she’s interested in a unit, but that the rent is higher than she expected. The leasing agent says he’s sure they can work out some arrangement if she’d go out with him. The leasing agent says he’d be doing her a favor by reducing the rent, so it’s not sexual harassment. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #2

Which animals may qualify as assistance animals under federal fair housing law:

a.   Bird;

b.   Snake;

c.   Ferret;

d.   None of the above;

e.   All of the above.

QUESTION #3

Some long-term residents have complained about new neighbors who allow their children to play outside unsupervised after school. They say the children are running around and playing loudly and urge you to require adult supervision for the outside activities of children under 12. Though you want to placate the neighbors, such a policy could lead to fair housing trouble. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

Your community has adopted policies and procedures to comply with federal fair housing law by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status. As long as you apply those policies fairly and consistently, you’ve done all you can to avoid fair housing trouble. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Resolution #1 applies here:

Resolution #1: Adopt a Zero-Tolerance Policy on Sexual Harassment

The prospect could sue the community for quid pro quo sexual harassment, which occurs when housing benefits are explicitly or implicitly conditioned on sexual favors. It doesn’t matter whether the leasing agent offers her a favor—or threatens her with adverse action—he’s putting the community at risk of a sexual harassment complaint by suggesting or implying that failure to accept a date could affect the terms of a rental.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: e

Reason: Resolution #3 applies here:

     Resolution #3: Don’t Treat Assistance Animals as Pets 

Although many people have these animals as pets, any of them could qualify as an assistance animal under the FHA. According to HUD, the FHA recognizes that assistance animals may include a wide variety of species that provide various forms of assistance—including emotional support—with or without specialized training.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Reason: Resolution #4 applies here:

Resolution #4: Watch How You Treat Families with Children

Adopting and enforcing policies that target children could trigger a claim of discrimination based on familial status. You may take steps to address the residents’ complaints, but a blanket policy requiring adult supervision of children under 12 could be considered unduly restrictive.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

Reason: Resolution #5 applies here:

Resolution #5: Keep Up with State and Local Fair Housing Laws

Ensuring compliance with federal fair housing laws is a great first step to protecting your community from fair housing trouble, but you also must comply with any applicable state and local fair housing laws.