Q: A prospect confides that he doesn’t want to “feel like a minority” in his own home and asks about the type of people living in the community. The leasing agent could trigger a fair housing problem if she answers by describing the racial or ethnic makeup of the community’s residents. True or false?

A: True. It’s risky to answer questions about the racial or ethnic characteristics of your residents, particularly if the person posing as a prospect turns out to be a fair housing tester. Comments on the personal characteristics of your residents could suggest that your community has a preference for or against certain people based on a protected characteristic.

In honor of Fair Housing Month, our April feature takes a break from our usual lesson to test your knowledge of fair housing law. The question above is just one of 40 true-or-false questions we ask and answer in the feature. The quiz covers fair housing basics under federal law—the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Based on your answers, you’ll be able to identify any potential problem areas that might merit some further attention or training. You can then browse our website for lessons on the topics you or your staff should brush up on.