April 2019 Coach's Quiz

We’ve given you nine rules on ensuring compliance with state and local fair housing laws. 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. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

Your community has adopted policies and procedures to comply with federal fair housing law by prohibiting discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, and disability. 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.

QUESTION #2

At a local apartment association meeting, the manager of a community in a neighboring city tells you about a new law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. You should implement the new rule immediately—with laws changing all the time, it’s important to take action quickly to avoid any risk of a discrimination complaint. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

The law in your state bans discrimination based on lawful source of income. A prospect tells your leasing agent that she relies on retirement benefits for her rent, but it’s not enough to meet your community’s income requirements. To avoid violating state fair housing law, your leasing agent must accept her application. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

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

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #5 applies here:

     Rule #5: Comply with Laws Banning Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

It’s great that your colleague shared this information, but you should check it out for yourself before making major changes to your fair housing policies and procedures. Depending on where you’re located, there may be different fair housing rules under local law—even if you’re in the same state or county.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #6 applies here:

     Rule #6: Comply with Laws Banning Discrimination Based on Source of Income

If your community is subject to state or local laws banning discrimination based on source of income, it’s important to find out exactly what’s covered. Generally speaking, these laws bar communities from rejecting a prospect solely because of her source of income, but they don’t require you to accept a prospect who receives her financial support from retirement benefits if you have other nondiscriminatory reasons to reject her, such as an insufficient income. Develop the necessary policies and procedures—and cover it in your training, so everyone understands the implications of the law and how to apply it consistently.