July 2019 Coach's Quiz

In this lesson, we’ve reviewed recent court rulings involving disability-related reasonable accommodation requests under fair housing law. 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. The correct answers (with explanations) follow the quiz. Good luck!

QUESTION #1

We have to consider disability-related requests for assistance animals, but we don’t have to make an exception to our policy prohibiting pit bulls and other dog breeds we consider to be dangerous. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #2

Whenever a resident asks you to make an exception to your rules, you should treat it as a request for a reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability—even if the resident doesn’t have any apparent disability. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #3

Whatever your policy about whether or where smoking is allowed, you should pay attention to complaints from residents who claim disability-related problems with exposure to secondhand smoke. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

QUESTION #4

A resident keeps calling your office to complain about the chemicals used by the landscaping crew. In her most recent call, she says she has developed a special allergy to these products and threatens to sue you unless you start using only organic products. To comply with fair housing law, you must grant her request to stop using the products immediately. True or false?

a.   True.

b.   False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Many communities have policies banning so-called dangerous breeds, most notably pit bulls, but HUD says that breed, size, or weight limitations may not be applied to assistance animals. That doesn’t mean that you must allow a resident to keep a dangerous animal, even if it’s an assistance animal. Though you can’t apply a blanket rule against certain dog breeds, you may exclude a specific animal that poses a direct threat to the safety of others.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

Don’t ignore a reasonable accommodation request simply because an applicant or resident doesn’t appear to have a disability. Treat the request seriously and ask for disability-related information, if necessary, to verify that the person meets the FHA’s definition of disability—that is, has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: a

Under fair housing law, you must consider a reasonable accommodation request to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke when necessary to enable an individual with a disability to use and enjoy the property. Follow your standard policies and procedures to determine whether the resident has a disability that makes him susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke. In general, an individual is entitled to a reasonable accommodation or modification when there is a clearly identifiable disability-related need for the requested accommodation or modification. Merely being annoyed by secondhand smoke doesn’t give the resident any special rights under fair housing law.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: b

You may take the time to review and respond to her reasonable accommodation request. By claiming to have a disability-related need for a change to your standard procedures in maintaining the property, the resident has made a request for a reasonable accommodation. To evaluate her request, you may follow your standard procedures to request documentation since neither her disability nor her disability-related need for the requested accommodation are obvious or apparent.