June 2014 Coach's Quiz
We’ve addressed 17 FAQs on fair housing rules protecting individuals with disabilities. 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
When a prospect in a wheelchair asks about available two-bedroom units, you may recommend accessible or ground-floor units because you can see that he is obviously disabled. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #2
An applicant wants to rent a unit in your community. She is divorced and shares custody of her teenage son, who lives with her every other week. She satisfies your screening requirements, but the son’s appearance and behavior makes you believe he has emotional problems. Since you’re worried that he may pose a threat to the community or other residents, you have reasonable cause to reject the application. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #3
Several months after moving into your community, a resident tells you that she’s disabled and asks you to reserve for her an accessible parking space near her unit. You may deny the request because she didn’t ask for the space when she moved in. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #4
A community must consider a request for a special parking space even if the resident doesn’t appear to have a disability. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #5
An applicant who uses a motorized scooter due to a mobility impairment wants to rent a ground-floor unit, but he says he needs a ramp to the building entrance. You should grant his request to build the ramp at his expense as a reasonable modification, if he provides the necessary documentation and assurances about the proposed ramp. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: b
Reason: The answer to FAQ #1 applies here:
FAQ #1: How Does Fair Housing Law Protect Individuals with a Disability?
Under the FHA, it’s unlawful to make housing unavailable or restrict a prospect’s housing choices because of a disability. Even if you don’t mean to discriminate, you could be accused of unlawful steering by offering your personal opinion, based on the prospect’s disability, about where the prospect should live.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: b
Reason: The answers to FAQs #4 & #5 apply here:
FAQ #4: Who Doesn’t Qualify as an Individual with a Disability?
FAQ #5: How Can We Determine if an Applicant or Resident Poses a Direct Threat?
You could face a fair housing complaint if you reject the application simply because you suspect the prospect’s son has emotional problems. The FHA specifically bars communities from discriminating against applicants or residents because of their disability or the disability of anyone associated with them. There is an exception for individuals with a disability whose tenancy would constitute a “direct threat” to the health or safety of others or result in substantial physical damage to the property of others. But it applies only when based on an individualized assessment using objective evidence—not on stereotypes about a disability. Even then, the community can’t exclude the son without considering whether there are any reasonable accommodations that would eliminate or significantly reduce any threat he may pose to the community or its residents.
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: b
Reason: The answers to FAQs #7 & #8 apply here:
FAQ #7: What Is a Reasonable Accommodation?
FAQ #8: When and How Can Reasonable Accommodation Requests Be Made?
You may not deny the request simply because it was made several months after the resident moved into the community. The FHA doesn’t require that a request be made in a particular manner or at a particular time, so it doesn’t matter that the resident waited several months after moving into the community before making the parking request.
QUESTION #4
Correct answer: a
Reason: The answers to FAQs #3, #9 & #10 apply here:
FAQ #3: Who Qualifies as an Individual with a Disability under Fair Housing Law?
FAQ #9: When Can We Ask for Disability-Related Documentation to Evaluate an Accommodation Request?
FAQ #10: Can We Ask for Documentation if the Disability Isn’t Obvious?
The community must consider the resident’s request for a special parking space, even if he doesn’t have an obvious disability. To evaluate the request, however, the community may request reliable information that’s necessary to verify that he has a disability and that he has a disability-related need for the parking space.
QUESTION #5
Correct answer: a
Reason: The answers to FAQs #14, #15 & #16 apply here:
FAQ #14: What Is a Reasonable Modification?
FAQ #15: Who Is Entitled to a Reasonable Modification?
FAQ #16: What Types of Documents and Assurances May Be Required Before Granting a Reasonable Modification?
The applicant has an obvious mobility impairment and his request to install a ramp at the entrance of a building is a reasonable modification. You may require him to provide a description of the ramp, obtain building permits, and provide assurances that the ramp be built in a workmanlike manner. If he fulfills those requirements, then you must grant the applicant’s request to build the ramp at his expense.
See The Lesson For This Quiz
| Fair Housing FAQs: Answering Your Questions About Disability Rules |