tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29250835060075282212024-02-02T05:52:24.347-05:00Fair Housing Blogby Fair Housing Helper™
<br><br><a href="http://www.twitter.com/fairhousing"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow fairhousing on Twitter"></a> Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-6714519303511576202017-04-21T09:16:00.001-04:002017-04-21T09:16:17.201-04:00Show Your Support for Housing Equality with Fair Housing Matters Shirts, Mugs, Buttons and More<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhpXa-_Kp1wn5__QZydGTcKjHehXEw45xIY9zUXWWCG8L0ksleEt9XA9JW-qEiY705zbq7j55iCuPOt95PNxC4Mnf973voej_NIDvq5g-HCds7pMmEuCWcYSKb-FUeGbQbgK_1FHufns2/s1600/fhproducts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Fair Housing Matters" border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhpXa-_Kp1wn5__QZydGTcKjHehXEw45xIY9zUXWWCG8L0ksleEt9XA9JW-qEiY705zbq7j55iCuPOt95PNxC4Mnf973voej_NIDvq5g-HCds7pMmEuCWcYSKb-FUeGbQbgK_1FHufns2/s320/fhproducts.jpg" title="Fair Housing Matters" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Show your support for housing equality<br />with Fair Housing Matters products<br />now available at the Hillocrian Store.</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hillocrian Creative LLC, publisher of <i>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</i>, today announced the launch of the Hillocrian Store. Coinciding with Fair Housing Month, the store's debut product line, "Fair Housing Matters," pays tribute to the hard-fought civil right that protects people across the United States from housing discrimination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fair Housing Matters products let you show your support for housing equality beyond Fair Housing Month and can make the perfect gift for a friend, family member or co-worker.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Check out the <a href="https://hillocrianblog.com/2017/04/21/hillocrian-store-launches-with-inaugural-line-of-products-promoting-fair-housing/" target="_blank">press release on the Hillocrian Blog</a> for more information.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Visit the <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/hillocrian_store" target="_blank">Hillocrian Store</a> today to view the entire product line.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETBetIh5IVPOotFN6hTXWnoCOA5srv9hrkeng75GgWnnnZQwAJ6OpFC1ZF6Z6t_g8QwNGtjBXYkDWt0iC-N91w9MhhsRmjUakjP20PbfyN3iwh5qQKxfR1ILdBaH4yjlpmUNEVLGlUzBH/s1600/hillocrian-store-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETBetIh5IVPOotFN6hTXWnoCOA5srv9hrkeng75GgWnnnZQwAJ6OpFC1ZF6Z6t_g8QwNGtjBXYkDWt0iC-N91w9MhhsRmjUakjP20PbfyN3iwh5qQKxfR1ILdBaH4yjlpmUNEVLGlUzBH/s400/hillocrian-store-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-31630668888099297662017-04-20T07:55:00.002-04:002017-04-20T07:55:14.094-04:00National Fair Housing Alliance Report Shines Light on Fair Housing Patterns, Trends and Challenges<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each year, the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) issues a report based on its collection of housing discrimination data from across the United States in the prior year. Yesterday, the NFHA released its new 2017 Fair Housing Trends Report: <i>The Case for Fair Housing</i>. Highlighting the past year's patterns, trends and challenges, the timely report is a must-read for <a href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2010/04/fair-housing-month-why-april-is-fair.html" target="_blank">Fair Housing Month</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The report notes that an estimated four-million-plus instances of housing discrimination occur annually. However, the number of fair housing complaints actually filed in 2016 totaled 28,181, a slight increase from 2015. Disability-based discrimination continued to account for the majority (55%) of all complaints, while race-based discrimination was the second-most common type (19.6%). Overall, fair housing complaints concerning rental transactions continued an upward trend, now accounting for 91.5% of total complaints.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The comprehensive report includes many more findings, data, and thoughtful analysis, including a discussion of fair housing issues with online services such as Facebook and Airbnb. The report also offers recommendations for eliminating housing discrimination, strengthening fair housing enforcement, and expanding access to opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://nationalfairhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TRENDS-REPORT-4-19-17-FINAL-2.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Read the entire report courtesy of the NFHA</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-64427604488702086012017-04-11T07:17:00.001-04:002017-04-11T07:17:14.436-04:00Do You Know What Happened 49 Years Ago Today?<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know that 49 years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law? Title VIII of this landmark piece of legislation, also known as the Fair Housing Act (FHA), has served as the primary vehicle through which to seek redress for housing discrimination across the United States. The FHA was signed into law exactly one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHWI1xGtD0wS5xPibbKzymLHcFhgmHJQNhhgUZcdNn3ZQ5QDQMnScuaDL0B4U915uq87YxKFz8O2o_4a1a_9x-O5Fr0W0Zw74O1rxsepW0YHM1kH_yFzNT2vQRErFbHmkBlrSPQ0_N3q_/s1600/LBJ-CivilRightsAct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law on April 11, 1968." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHWI1xGtD0wS5xPibbKzymLHcFhgmHJQNhhgUZcdNn3ZQ5QDQMnScuaDL0B4U915uq87YxKFz8O2o_4a1a_9x-O5Fr0W0Zw74O1rxsepW0YHM1kH_yFzNT2vQRErFbHmkBlrSPQ0_N3q_/s1600/LBJ-CivilRightsAct.jpg" title="President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law on April 11, 1968." /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law on April 11, 1968.<br />Image courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The path toward adopting comprehensive, enforceable anti-discrimination housing legislation was a hard-fought battle that spanned several generations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take a moment to remember this landmark day in civil rights and housing by reading a "<a href="http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/aboutfheo/history.cfm" target="_blank">History of Fair Housing</a>," courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).</span><br />
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Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-44771833111055745892017-02-20T08:33:00.000-05:002017-02-20T08:33:05.275-05:00Take 50% Off Fair Housing Training for Presidents' Day<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're a landlord or property manager, it's essential to get familiar with fair housing laws to avoid discrimination complaints from tenants. Take advantage of our Presidents' Day special to get up to speed on fair housing compliance <u>for only $4.99</u>...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle for just $4.99, a savings of 50% off the regular price of $9.99. Just <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">visit the Amazon.com page by clicking here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You don't need an actual Kindle device to enjoy a Kindle eBook. You can read <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> on your iPad, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">smartphone, or even your computer, thanks to </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" target="_blank">free Kindle apps</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">www.fairhousinghelper.com</a> to find out about what <i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plus, when you finish the book, follow the simple instructions to receive a complimentary, personalized fair housing training certificate and a free badge to use on your Web site or marketing materials.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Click here to download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle today for only $4.99</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-87545053223814009412016-10-07T08:47:00.001-04:002016-10-10T17:16:55.270-04:00HUD Pumps Helium Into the Fair Housing Act<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been busy rolling out initiatives aimed at broadening the coverage of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to protect a greater number of individuals in a range of situations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">September brought new HUD guidance and final rules in three key areas of fair housing. Housing providers across the United States should be aware of these developments as they may affect their compliance risk. If you own or rent a home, or you're looking to move, it's helpful to keep these anti-discrimination protections in mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Following is a summary:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1) Gender identity</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Action: Final rule</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Date: September 21, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Effective date: October 21, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Applicability: Limited to programs and shelters funded under programs administered by <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning" style="color: #1155cc;">HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD)</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Purpose: Ensure equal access for people in such programs regardless of their gender identity. HUD determined that its 2012 Equal Access Rule did not adequately address the "significant violence, harassment, and discrimination" faced by "transgender and gender nonconforming persons." This new rule modifies definitions of certain key terms so that "gender identity" is understood to be determined regardless of the gender indicated on a person's birth certificate, driver's license, or other identifying documents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link for more information: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.regulations.gov/document?D%3DHUD-2015-0104-0172&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNG8au8Cv3_lGdaJ4MSrpvBtwHspBA" href="https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=HUD-2015-0104-0172" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.regul<wbr></wbr>ations.gov/document?D=HUD-2015<wbr></wbr>-0104-0172</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2) Limited English Proficiency (LEP)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Action: Guidance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Date: September 15, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Effective date: Immediately </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Applicability: Broadly applies to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFCTkx8jS3DBQWKHMsv-Au44aRtbw" href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">all housing covered under the FHA</a>. (Note that housing providers that receive federal assistance have greater obligations to provide meaningful access to LEP applicants and tenants under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For more information about this, visit <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://LEP.gov&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFgrfJmUUu9cA0PGKiWae3uM-6nfA" href="http://lep.gov/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">LEP.gov</a>, a federal interagency Web site.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Purpose: Protect people from housing discrimination based on their limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English. This affects an estimated 9% of the U.S. population. LEP is not a protected class under the FHA. However, HUD has found that discrimination based on LEP often is not based on legitimate communication concerns but rather is a proxy for discrimination based on national origin, which is a protected class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link for more information: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id%3Dlepmemo091516.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFk88R3sDUco7dM9bsq6HSP1u19YA" href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=lepmemo091516.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://portal.hud<wbr></wbr>.gov/hudportal/documents/huddo<wbr></wbr>c?id=lepmemo091516.pdf</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3) Sexual harassment and domestic violence</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Action: Guidance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Date: September 13, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Effective date: Immediately</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Applicability: Broadly applies to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFCTkx8jS3DBQWKHMsv-Au44aRtbw" href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">all housing covered under the FHA</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Purpose: HUD is addressing the issue of so-called "nuisance ordinances," which have been growing in number and often require landlords to evict tenants after seeking emergency services as the victims of domestic abuse and other crimes. The guidance helps address how to ensure housing providers don't discriminate—intentionally or not—against such people under these ordinances, by applying the three-step discriminatory effects burden-shifting analysis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link for more information: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id%3DFinalNuisanceOrdGdnce.pdf&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNGblsav4hnKb0eWtEgOpBLn4AJ9xA" href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=FinalNuisanceOrdGdnce.pdf" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://portal.hud<wbr></wbr>.gov/hudportal/documents/huddo<wbr></wbr>c?id=FinalNuisanceOrdGdnce.pdf</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Action: Final rule</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Date: September 14, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Effective date: October 14, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Applicability: Broadly applies to <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFCTkx8jS3DBQWKHMsv-Au44aRtbw" href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-when.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">all housing covered under the FHA</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Purpose: Explain how housing providers may be liable for sexual harassment, mainly by identifying and detailing "quid pro quo" and "hostile environment" sexual harassment. HUD regulations along with court interpretations have made clear that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on sex, in violation of the FHA. This final rule offers more information about what constitutes sexual harassment under the FHA. This clarification echoes earlier HUD guidance of November 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Link for more information: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/09/14/2016-21868/quid-pro-quo-and-hostile-environment-harassment-and-liability-for-discriminatory-housing-practices&source=gmail&ust=1475929150697000&usg=AFQjCNFN78LvWEUGaBTcqPdE8QcucQmxgQ" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/09/14/2016-21868/quid-pro-quo-and-hostile-environment-harassment-and-liability-for-discriminatory-housing-practices" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.feder<wbr></wbr>alregister.gov/documents/2016/<wbr></wbr>09/14/2016-21868/quid-pro-quo-<wbr></wbr>and-hostile-environment-harass<wbr></wbr>ment-and-liability-for-discrim<wbr></wbr>inatory-housing-practices</a></span></div>
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Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-55627253856042584642016-07-31T14:07:00.002-04:002016-07-31T14:07:48.532-04:00DOJ Takes Action to Combat Familial Status Discrimination<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced recent action against landlords in two unrelated cases involving discrimination based on familial status under the Fair Housing Act:</span><div>
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<li><u>June 14, 2016:</u> The court entered a consent order in <i>United States v. Brinson</i> (D. Nev.), requiring Nevada landlords to pay $24,000 in damages to victims and a $12,000 civil penalty to the United States. The complaint (filed July 10, 2015) alleged that the landlords ran advertisements showing a preference against renting to families with children, and that they turned away a family with children who responded to one of the ads. (You can <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/united-states-v-brinson-d-nv" target="_blank">read the consent order here</a>.)</li>
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<li><u>June 23, 2016:</u> In <i>United States v. Dominic Properties, LLC</i> (D. Minn.), a referral from HUD, the DOJ filed a complaint against Minneapolis, Minnesota, owners and managers for allegedly creating and enforcing rules that restrict children from being in the yard, hallways and other indoor and outdoor common areas of their apartment complex. (You can <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/case-document/complaint-united-states-v-dominic-properties-d-minn" target="_blank">read the complaint here</a>.)</li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For more information about familial status discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, see "</span><a href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/its-fair-housing-month-do-you-know-whos.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know Who's Protected Against Familial Status Discrimination?</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></div>
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Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-91720448859060994322015-11-27T08:17:00.000-05:002015-11-27T08:17:00.473-05:00Black Friday Deal Offers Fair Housing Compliance Training for Only $4.99<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're a landlord or property manager, it's essential to get familiar with fair housing laws to avoid discrimination complaints from tenants. Take advantage of Black Friday to get up to speed on fair housing compliance <u>for only $4.99</u>...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle for just $4.99, a savings of 50% off the regular price of $9.99. Just <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">visit the Amazon.com page by clicking here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You don't need an actual Kindle device to enjoy a Kindle eBook. You can read <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> on your iPad, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">smartphone, or even your computer, thanks to </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" target="_blank">free Kindle apps</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">www.fairhousinghelper.com</a> to find out about what <i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plus, when you finish the book, follow the simple instructions to receive a complimentary, personalized fair housing training certificate and a free badge to use on your Web site or marketing materials.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Click here to download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle today for only $4.99</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-61335258294983206852015-10-19T08:23:00.000-04:002015-10-19T08:23:37.054-04:00Scared of Fair Housing Violations? In the Dark About Compliance? Save 31% on Fair Housing Helper Through Halloween<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you're operating in the dark when it comes to fair housing compliance, or you're fearful that you might get accused of housing discrimination (despite your good intentions), you may want to take advantage of a limited-time offer on affordable, convenient fair housing training...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;">With <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b>, you go at your own pace and gain more confidence with every page. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Now through October 31, 2015, </span><u style="background-color: yellow; color: #222222;">enjoy 31% off</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> when purchasing <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> directly through the </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/3907181" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">Fair Housing Helper eStore</a>. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Just use coupon code </span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>HTZSSK79</b><span style="color: #222222;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">www.fairhousinghelper.com</a> to learn more about what <i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," which was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4_PHhQevQQ" target="_blank">recently selected as an International Book Awards Finalist</a>.</span><br />
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Landlords, property managers, and others who complete the training receive a complimentary, personalized fair housing training certificate and more!</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-18001104527606510682015-09-18T15:20:00.001-04:002015-09-18T15:39:29.229-04:005 New Quick Video Tips on Fair Housing Compliance<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fair Housing Helper is pleased to announce the addition of five new tips to its YouTube series, </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Fair Housing Tips </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In Less Than a Minute."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">View the complete <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">complete video series on YouTube</a>. Or check out any of the ten tips here:</span><br />
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<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/78QuHppkTZg?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#1: Protected Classes</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/dcK2GBpg95M?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#2: Singling Out Children</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/MYo8yopMMi0?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#3: Telling Prospects About Apartments</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/haXZMPx7PMI?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#4: Banning Pets</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://youtu.be/CKzOWaBClR4?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#5: Retaliating Against Tenants</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/CBEL0zhxqlM?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#6: Stay on Top of Fair Housing Compliance</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/a335HvkIFIQ?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#7: Don't Make Assumptions About Disabilities</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ps1V0-hZZVM?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#8: Don't Favor Certain Religions</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/P0xvdaIOvRk?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#9: Follow Senior Housing Exemptions</a></li>
<li style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://youtu.be/VQ1ULUQBXbk?list=PLNsXACkb6_jKTqWQKMSubQoe8FhORxDHU" target="_blank">#10: Fair Housing Fears</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Check this blog and follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/fairhousing" target="_blank">@fairhousing</a> on Twitter for announcements of new tips as they're added to the series.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Plus, for more information about the book "Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals" and getting your complimentary personalized certificate and badge, visit <a href="http://fairhousinghelper.com/">fairhousinghelper.com</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-27494909848385964522015-07-14T17:31:00.003-04:002015-07-14T17:31:49.584-04:00What Did HUD Just Do With the 'Affirmatively Further Fair Housing' Requirement?<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) brought the Fair Housing Act (FHA) back into the spotlight on Wednesday by announcing a new rule </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">about the long-neglected “affirmatively further fair housing” (AFFH) requirement.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Find out what you need to know about the rule, including why it's controversial, by checking out my new guest blog post</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">, entitled "</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="https://lizbramlet.wordpress.com/2015/07/13/ron-leshnower-on-affirmatively-furthering-fair-housing/" target="_blank">HUD Breathes New Life Into the Fair Housing Act’s ‘Affirmatively Further Fair Housing’ Requirement</a>" on Liz Bramlet's Blog.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-29740539565144863292015-07-02T08:56:00.001-04:002015-07-02T08:56:20.351-04:00Act Now to Achieve Independence from Fair Housing Fears<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are you on top of fair housing compliance? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now's your chance to get up to speed on fair housing laws and manage your property with confidence...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In honor of Independence Day, download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle for just $4.99, a savings of more than 50% off the regular price of $9.99. Just <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">visit the Amazon.com page by clicking here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You don't need an actual Kindle device to enjoy a Kindle eBook. You can read <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> on your iPad, </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">smartphone, or even your computer, thanks to </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=sv_kstore_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771" target="_blank">free Kindle apps</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">www.fairhousinghelper.com</a> to learn more about what <i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," which was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4_PHhQevQQ" target="_blank">recently selected as a Finalist in the 2014 International Book Awards</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you finish the book, follow the simple instructions to receive a complimentary, personalized fair housing training certificate and a free badge to use on your Web site or marketing materials.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The clock is ticking, so act now before the price goes back up to $9.99! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals-ebook/dp/B00HIJCZAE/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=" target="_blank">Click here to download <b>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</b> for Kindle today for only $4.99</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-8952730901645872132015-06-29T16:48:00.004-04:002015-06-29T16:48:45.112-04:00Fair Housing Advice for Landlords and Property Managers Following the Supreme Court’s Landmark Disparate-Impact Ruling<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling on disparate-impact claims under the Fair Housing Act on Thursday, I was honored to be asked to write a guest post for Liz Bramlet's Blog sharing my thoughts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The post, entitled "</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fair Housing Advice for Landlords and Property Managers Following the Supreme Court’s Landmark Disparate-Impact Ruling</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">," was published today and </span><a href="https://lizbramlet.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/supreme-courts-landmark-disparate-impact-ruling/" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">you can read it here</a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-54707189853160779012015-04-30T10:21:00.001-04:002015-04-30T10:21:03.149-04:00Ending Soon: $9.99 Fair Housing Training eBook for Only $1.99<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As Fair Housing Month comes to a close, today is the last day to take advantage of Fair Housing Helper's Fair Housing Month Deal: You can still pick up the <a href="http://amzn.com/B00HIJCZAE" target="_blank">Kindle version of the award-winning compliance training book</a>—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for the very low price of </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$1.99</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_kstore_3" target="_blank">free Kindle apps</a>, y</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ou don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Housing-Helper-Apartment-Professionals/dp/0989291103" target="_blank">paperback version is available for $19.99</a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls <i>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</i> a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," noting that the "book offers plenty of good advice in plain English" and the "quiz format makes learning the law fun and easy to digest."</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To take advantage of this special limited-time offer,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://amzn.com/B00HIJCZAE" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">visit Amazon.com today</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can start reading the book immediately after download, and then you'll be on your way to earning your designation as a FairHousingHelper.com Gold Professional (complete with badge and personalized certificate) in no time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For more information about the book and professional designation, please visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">FairHousingHelper.com</a>.</span><br />
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Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-47957736829781369312015-04-29T21:57:00.002-04:002015-04-29T21:57:13.776-04:00Avoid Fair Housing Traps When Renting Apartments to Single People<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Fair Housing Act (FHA) doesn't protect tenants based on the fact they're not married, but landlords can still get into legal trouble if they treat tenants more—or less—favorably simply because they’re single.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're a landlord thinking about turning away prospective tenants for being single, or you're considering creating an apartment community designed for singles only, take a moment to learn about the inherent fair housing risks behind both types of practices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "<a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/avoid-fair-housing-trouble-when-dealing-with-single-tenants.html" target="_blank">Avoid Fair Housing Trouble When Dealing With Single Tenants</a>," for more information.</span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-26641292068131074942015-04-28T09:14:00.002-04:002015-04-28T09:14:48.813-04:00Caution: Ignoring Apartment Prospects Because of Their Name or Accent May Be Bad for Business—and Illegal<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When landlords engage in profiling with prospective tenants at their properties, they're risking fair housing complaints based on national origin, race, or another protected class. Profiling involves making certain assumptions about prospective tenants based on characteristics they have, and then turning them away as a result.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Profiling interferes with prospective tenants in their search for housing while creating risks for landlords. To prevent problems, learn more about the <a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/avoid-profiling-prospective-tenants.html" target="_blank">types of profiling and how to avoid it</a> by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Do you know about the Fair Housing Month Sale? </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Read</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> "<a href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/fair-housing-month-sale-999-fair.html" target="_blank">Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)</a>" for more information.</span></i></span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-71034199665728410222015-04-27T08:27:00.001-04:002015-04-27T08:27:19.073-04:00Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To celebrate fair housing month, Fair Housing Helper is pleased to offer, for a limited time, the <a href="http://amzn.com/B00HIJCZAE" target="_blank">Kindle version of its award-winning compliance training book</a>—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for only </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">$1.99</b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a paperback version is available for $19.99). Thanks to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_kstore_3" target="_blank">free Kindle apps</a>, y</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ou don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Kirkus Reviews</i> calls <i>Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals</i> a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," noting that the "book offers plenty of good advice in plain English" and the "quiz format makes learning the law fun and easy to digest."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Discover the answers to these questions and more:</span><br />
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<li>What phrases should I avoid when advertising my apartments?</li>
<li>Can I reject applicants who weren't born in the U.S.A.?</li>
<li>Do I have enough parking spaces for people with disabilities?</li>
<li>Must I let a tenant keep a cat for his disability?</li>
<li>Can I require families to put children in separate bedrooms?</li>
<li>Can I reject prospects with HIV or AIDS for health reasons?</li>
<li>Should I worry about discriminating against illegal drug users?</li>
<li>Will I get fined because all my tenants are white?</li>
<li>Must I rent to families with children at my senior community?</li>
<li>Will I get into trouble for turning away Section 8 prospects?</li>
<li>Can I legally reject prospects who are openly gay?</li>
<li>Do I need to install grab bars in my apartments' bathrooms?</li>
<li>Can I decorate my common areas for the holidays?</li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To take advantage of this special limited-time offer, <a href="http://amzn.com/B00HIJCZAE" target="_blank">visit Amazon.com today</a>. You can start reading the book immediately after download, and then you'll be on your way to earning your designation as a FairHousingHelper.com Gold Professional (complete with badge and personalized certificate) in no time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For more information about the book, please visit <a href="http://www.fairhousinghelper.com/">FairHousingHelper.com</a>.</span><ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
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Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-7584559976831126952015-04-26T09:11:00.002-04:002015-04-26T09:11:54.263-04:00Watch President Johnson Proudly Announce the Passage of the Fair Housing Act<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After years of debate and struggle, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) became a legislative reality on April 11, 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, of which the FHA was Title VIII.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since that time, the FHA has been amended to include additional protected classes and provide for stronger enforcement. Its aim, as stated in the <a href="http://www.fairhousingresources.com/Fair-Housing-Act-Full-Text.html#3601" target="_blank">very beginning of the text of the law</a>, remains "to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Fair Housing Month nears its end, take a moment to watch President Johnson speak about his efforts to enact federal housing discrimination legislation and proclaim that one of his presidency's "proudest moments" is the signing into law of the "promises of a century," in this short video (courtesy of History.com):</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="320" scrolling="no" src="http://player.history.com/pservice/embed-player/?siteId=hist&tPid=21103262" width="480"></iframe>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-16618715486611674402015-04-25T18:10:00.002-04:002015-04-25T18:10:29.768-04:00It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know How to File a Fair Housing Complaint With HUD?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're an apartment prospect or tenant who believes that your landlord or another housing professional has illegally discriminated against you, you may be able to get relief under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This popular route saves tenants time and money as well as the need to hire an attorney.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are the steps you'll need to take if you decide to <a href="http://apartments.about.com/od/housingdiscrimination/ht/pursuefhclaim.htm" target="_blank">proceed with filing a complaint against your landlord with HUD</a>.</span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-21754007948925363082015-04-24T19:11:00.001-04:002015-04-24T19:11:53.144-04:00Rental Properties and Pets: Making Reasonable Accommodations for a Disability<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Landlords are entitled to create and enforce rules governing tenants' pets at a rental property. They can even ban pets from their buildings, if they wish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But landlords and tenants should both know that landlords can't automatically say no to prospects and tenants who request to keep an animal in their apartment as an accommodation for a disability.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) says that landlords must consider all accommodation requests tenants make that they need in connection with a disability, then grant such requests, if they're reasonable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See what lessons landlords and tenants can learn from a <a href="http://blog.nolo.com/rent/2014/07/therapy-pig-dispute-offers-valuable-lessons-to-landlords-and-tenants/" target="_blank">recent dispute about a family's request to keep a "therapy pig" in their home for the benefit of a child diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger's</a>.</span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-142895917276977542015-04-23T21:45:00.002-04:002015-04-23T21:45:29.009-04:00It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know When the Fair Housing Act Applies to a Rental Property?<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a federal law, <a href="http://www.fairhousingblog.com/2015/04/the-broad-geographic-reach-of-fair.html" target="_blank">has broad geographic reach</a>, the nation's primary piece of housing discrimination legislation doesn't apply to all rental properties in every situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For example, the FHA generally doesn't apply if landlords own and occupy a building with fewer than five apartments. Also, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">he FHA doesn't apply to most situations where a single-family house is sold or rented without a broker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Learn more about federal fair housing law exemptions by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "<a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/does-the-federal-fair-housing-act-apply-your-rental-property.html" target="_blank">Does the Federal Fair Housing Act Apply to Your Rental Property?</a>"</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-59978513809751781362015-04-22T22:11:00.001-04:002015-04-22T22:11:20.329-04:00Limit Your Liability After Fair Housing Accusations<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a landlord trying to run a successful business while keeping tenants happy, it's not a good feeling to learn one of your tenants is accusing you of discrimination. But whether a tenant's claims are unfounded or you or a staff member slipped up, there are things you should—and shouldn't—do when you find out about a fair housing complaint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To start with, it's essential not to panic or let strong feelings rule the day. Maintaining a professional, calm demeanor and thinking clearly is the best way to proceed. Rushing to speak your mind and argue with a tenant who is accusing you of violating the law could lead you to say something you'll later regret or just make the situation worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Get more tips on minimizing liability following fair housing accusations by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "<a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-do-tenant-accuses-you-housing-discrimination.html" target="_blank">What to Do if a Tenant Accuses You of Housing Discrimination</a>."</span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-69325659291947286042015-04-21T08:39:00.000-04:002015-04-21T08:39:11.057-04:00The Broad Geographic Reach of the Fair Housing Act<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did you know that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the law of the land in more than just the mainland?</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A federal law, the FHA has a geographic coverage that extends to the 50 states, the District of </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">territories and possessions of the United States (see <a href="http://www.fairhousingresources.com/Fair-Housing-Act-Full-Text.html#3602" target="_blank">42 USC </a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fairhousingresources.com/Fair-Housing-Act-Full-Text.html#3602" target="_blank">§</a></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fairhousingresources.com/Fair-Housing-Act-Full-Text.html#3602" target="_blank"> 3602(g)</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just yesterday, for example, Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation recognizing Fair Housing Month in that territory, according to a <a href="http://www.kuam.com/story/28843241/2015/04/20/april-is-fair-housing-month" target="_blank">report from KUAM.com</a>.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-35278632423113558942015-04-20T21:32:00.002-04:002015-04-20T21:32:39.395-04:00It's Fair Housing Month... When Can an Apartment Rule Legally Single Out Children?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects tenants based on "familial status," which refers to the presence of at least one child under 18. Despite the FHA's protection, it's</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> okay for landlords to single out children in apartment rules if their health or safety is specifically at stake.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I explain in an article for About.com, you can </span><a href="http://apartments.about.com/od/housingdiscrimination/a/singleoutchildren.htm" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">determine if a rule at your apartment building is in compliance with the FHA by asking yourself two questions</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div>
Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-34399924796553635192015-04-19T20:22:00.004-04:002015-04-19T20:22:37.874-04:00It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Have the Right to Display Religious Objects in Your Apartment?<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For many tenants, making an apartment feel like home means displaying their faith in their decor. But before you place items on a shelf or attach them to your wall, you might wonder if a landlord can restrict which religious objects you choose to display, or even ask you to make your apartment decor appear less religious.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thanks to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which applies across the United States, tenants can feel free to include what they wish in their decor, and landlords who try to limit religious displays inside tenants' homes are violating the FHA's ban on religious discrimination.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Learn more about how federal law protects you when it comes to religious decor by checking out my article for About.com, entitled "<a href="http://apartments.about.com/od/apartmentliving/qt/religiousdecor.htm" target="_blank">Your Right to Display Religious Objects in Your Apartment</a>."</span>Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925083506007528221.post-28604914224395788782015-04-18T16:50:00.001-04:002015-04-18T16:50:17.276-04:00Tenants With HIV/AIDS: Follow 7 Dos & Don'ts to Avoid Fair Housing ProblemsMany landlords are hesitant, if not scared, to rent to tenants whom they know or suspect have HIV or AIDS. They fear that doing so would put other tenants at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, and that they could face liability for any harm their tenants suffer.<br />
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But the Fair Housing Act (FHA), through its ban on disability-based discrimination, protects people with HIV/AIDS from being treated differently during the rental process, which means landlords can actually get into trouble if they refuse to rent to tenants simply because they have HIV/AIDS.<br />
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It's also important to be aware of the fact that HIV/AIDS isn't spread by <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html" target="_blank">casual contact or even through the air</a>, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, landlords (and other tenants) needn't fear an AIDS epidemic at their property.<br />
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I recently put together a set of dos and don'ts to avoid violating the FHA when it comes to renting to tenants with HIV or AIDS. Check them out in my article for Nolo.com, entitled "<a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/dealing-with-rental-applicants-who-have-hiv-aids.html" target="_blank">Dealing With Rental Applicants Who Have HIV/AIDS</a>."Ron Leshnowerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09712291262228553365noreply@blogger.com0