October 2018 Coach’s Quiz
We’ve suggested eight rules for complying with fair housing laws banning discrimination based on source of income. 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.
QUESTION #1
If your state does not ban discrimination based on source of income, then you are free to refuse to accept Section 8 housing vouchers. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #2
If your community is subject to laws banning discrimination based on source of income, then you may not reject an applicant because she relies on veterans benefits to pay her rent. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #3
Your community is subject to laws banning discrimination based on source of income. During the background check, you find out that an applicant who lives on Social Security skipped out on his previous apartment’s lease without paying rent for three months. Since he doesn’t meet your screening criteria, you may reject his application without violating fair housing law. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #4
Your community is subject to state or local laws banning discrimination based on source of income. You’re willing to accept a resident who relies on Section 8 to move in, but you’re concerned that because he’s “on welfare,” he may cause more damage to his unit than your other residents. You have the right to collect a higher security deposit than you usually collect from residents to protect yourself in the event of excessive damage to the unit. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rules #1 and #2 apply here:
Rule #1: Get to Know State and Local Law
Rule #3: Check Whether Your Community Participates in Federal Programs that Ban Source-of-Income Discrimination
Though your state might not ban discrimination based on source of income, or its ban might not specifically cover public and private housing assistance, including Section 8 housing vouchers, your city or county might. Or your community might be subject to federal requirements under certain types of financing. So don’t reject an applicant who has a voucher until you check with your attorney to get the details of all the laws applicable to your community.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rule #2 applies here:
Rule #2: Don’t Reject Applicants Based on Source of Income Where Doing So Is Locally Banned
To comply with laws banning discrimination based on source of income, you may not refuse to rent to prospects because of where they get their income or means of financial support, including government benefits.
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rule #7 applies here:
Rule #7: Apply the Same Screening Policy Regardless of Source of Income
You don’t have to accept all applicants who receive government benefits or housing assistance to comply with state or municipal laws banning source-of-income discrimination. You may reject an applicant if you have other nondiscriminatory reasons for rejecting him, such as bad rental history, bad credit, or criminal record, as long as you apply that policy consistently to all applicants, regardless of their source of income.
QUESTION #4
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rule #8 applies here:
Rule #8: Apply the Same Terms and Conditions, Regardless of Source of Income
Fair housing protections based on source of income don’t stop with the application process, so you may not treat residents differently or apply your rules and policies more strictly because of the source of their income. Even if you have concerns that the applicant won’t be able to pay for any damage to the unit because he uses Section 8 to pay his rent, it’s unlawful to impose more stringent rules or deposit requirements on the resident based solely on the source of his income.