July 2011 Coach's Quiz
We have given you seven rules for avoiding fair housing problems related to residents and their guests. Now let's look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the COACH's Quiz to see what you have 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
Federal fair housing law allows only prospects, applicants, or residents to file a lawsuit for discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. True or false?
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True.
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False.
QUESTION #2
A white resident may pursue a fair housing claim if the community, its staff, or others harass or discriminate against her because she entertains African-American friends. True or false?
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True.
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False.
QUESTION #3
An applicant wants to rent a unit in your community. She's 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 cause trouble or damage to your property, you have reasonable cause to reject the application. True or false?
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True.
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False.
QUESTION #4
You receive a complaint from a neighbor about a male resident who dresses in female attire and regularly hosts a group of similarly dressed male friends. The neighbor says it makes her feel uncomfortable and threatens to move if you don't do something to stop it. The city in which the apartment complex is located has a local fair housing law that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, so you could face a fair housing claim if you tell the resident to stop the gatherings. True or false?
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True.
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False.
Coach's Answers and Explanations
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rules #1 and #7 apply here:
Rule #1: Apply Fair Housing Policies to Residents and Their Guests
Rule #7: Don't Retaliate Against Residents, Guests, or Employees for Reporting Fair Housing Problems
It's possible for communities to face a fair housing complaint by someone other than a prospect, applicant, or resident. Just as it's unlawful to discriminate against residents based on their race or other protected characteristic, it's a violation of fair housing law to discriminate against their friends or guests for the same reason. In addition, the FHA bars retaliation against employees and others who help or encourage alleged discrimination victims to pursue their rights under fair housing law.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rule #2 applies here:
Rule #2: Don't Discriminate Against Residents Because of Their Friends or Guests
Fair housing law bars discrimination against residents—whatever their personal characteristics—because of their association with members of a protected group. It's unlawful to take any adverse action against a resident—such as interfering with her right to enjoy the premises or threatening or evicting her—because of biases against her friends or guests.
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rule #3 applies here:
Rule #3: Don't Discriminate Against Anyone Associated with an Individual with a Disability
You could face a fair housing complaint if you reject the application simply because you suspect her son has emotional problems. The FHA specifically bars housing providers from discriminating against applicants or residents because of the disability of anyone associated with them. If the son has a mental impairment that qualifies as a disability, then she may have a viable claim for disability discrimination under fair housing law.
QUESTION #4
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rules #2 and #4 apply here:
Rule #2: Don't Discriminate Against Residents Because of Their Friends or Guests
Rule #4: Comply with State and Local Laws Protecting Residents and Guests
Your community could face a fair housing complaint if you're subject to state or local laws banning discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, or transsexual status. Furthermore, your actions could trigger a complaint under federal fair housing law—recent HUD documents suggest that discrimination against a resident for failure to conform to sexual stereotypes could raise a claim under the FHA for discrimination based on sex.
See The Lesson For This Quiz
| Avoiding Fair Housing Claims Related to Residents' Guests |