Fair Housing Advice for Landlords and Property Managers Following the Supreme Court’s Landmark Disparate-Impact Ruling

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.

The post, entitled "Fair Housing Advice for Landlords and Property Managers Following the Supreme Court’s Landmark Disparate-Impact Ruling," was published today and you can read it here.

Ending Soon: $9.99 Fair Housing Training eBook for Only $1.99

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 Kindle version of the award-winning compliance training book—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for the very low price of $1.99.

Thanks to free Kindle apps, you don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer. The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a paperback version is available for $19.99).

Kirkus Reviews calls Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals 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."

To take advantage of this special limited-time offer, visit Amazon.com today.

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.

For more information about the book and professional designation, please visit FairHousingHelper.com.

Avoid Fair Housing Traps When Renting Apartments to Single People

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.

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.

Check out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Avoid Fair Housing Trouble When Dealing With Single Tenants," for more information.

Caution: Ignoring Apartment Prospects Because of Their Name or Accent May Be Bad for Business—and Illegal

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.

Profiling interferes with prospective tenants in their search for housing while creating risks for landlords. To prevent problems, learn more about the types of profiling and how to avoid it by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com.

Do you know about the Fair Housing Month Sale? Read "Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)" for more information.

Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)

To celebrate fair housing month, Fair Housing Helper is pleased to offer, for a limited time, the Kindle version of its award-winning compliance training book—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for only $1.99. The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a paperback version is available for $19.99). Thanks to free Kindle apps, you don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer.

Kirkus Reviews calls Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals 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."

Discover the answers to these questions and more:

• What phrases should I avoid when advertising my apartments?
• Can I reject applicants who weren't born in the U.S.A.?
• Do I have enough parking spaces for people with disabilities?
• Must I let a tenant keep a cat for his disability?
• Can I require families to put children in separate bedrooms?
• Can I reject prospects with HIV or AIDS for health reasons?
• Should I worry about discriminating against illegal drug users?
• Will I get fined because all my tenants are white?
• Must I rent to families with children at my senior community?
• Will I get into trouble for turning away Section 8 prospects?
• Can I legally reject prospects who are openly gay?
• Do I need to install grab bars in my apartments' bathrooms?
• Can I decorate my common areas for the holidays?

To take advantage of this special limited-time offer, visit Amazon.com today. 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.

For more information about the book, please visit FairHousingHelper.com.

Watch President Johnson Proudly Announce the Passage of the Fair Housing Act

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.

Since that time, the FHA has been amended to include additional protected classes and provide for stronger enforcement. Its aim, as stated in the very beginning of the text of the law, remains "to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States."

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):

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know How to File a Fair Housing Complaint With HUD?

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.

Here are the steps you'll need to take if you decide to proceed with filing a complaint against your landlord with HUD.

Rental Properties and Pets: Making Reasonable Accommodations for a Disability

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.

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.

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. 

See what lessons landlords and tenants can learn from a 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.

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know When the Fair Housing Act Applies to a Rental Property?

Although the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a federal law, has broad geographic reach, the nation's primary piece of housing discrimination legislation doesn't apply to all rental properties in every situation.

For example, the FHA generally doesn't apply if landlords own and occupy a building with fewer than five apartments. Also, the FHA doesn't apply to most situations where a single-family house is sold or rented without a broker.

Learn more about federal fair housing law exemptions by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Does the Federal Fair Housing Act Apply to Your Rental Property?"

Limit Your Liability After Fair Housing Accusations

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.

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.

Get more tips on minimizing liability following fair housing accusations by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "What to Do if a Tenant Accuses You of Housing Discrimination."

The Broad Geographic Reach of the Fair Housing Act

Did you know that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the law of the land in more than just the mainland?

A federal law, the FHA has a geographic coverage that extends to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States (see 42 USC § 3602(g)).

Just yesterday, for example, Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation recognizing Fair Housing Month in that territory, according to a report from KUAM.com.