March 2018 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’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. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

You can take as long as you want to investigate and respond to requests for reasonable accommodations or reasonable modifications. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #2

You could trigger a fair housing complaint by adopting rules that limit use of common areas by anyone under 18. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

QUESTION #3

If someone sues you for housing discrimination and loses, then she has to pay you back for the bills from your lawyer to defend you from her claims. True or false?

a. True.

b. False.

COACH’S ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Although you don’t have to respond immediately to every request for reasonable accommodations or modifications, you can’t take as long as you want to formulate your response. The law permits communities to conduct a meaningful review of the accommodation and modification requests, but it treats an excessive or unnecessary delay in responding to such requests the same as an outright denial. 

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

You could face a fair housing complaint by implementing community rules that limit children’s use of common areas. Rules banning children from playing outside—or requiring adult supervision of children in common areas—could lead to accusations that you’re treating families with children less favorably than adult households living at the community.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

In fair housing litigation, the law generally allows the winning party to recover its attorney’s fees from the losing party. Because of the way the courts apply the rule, however, it’s very difficult to recoup your attorney’s fees even when an applicant or resident has lost her case against you.