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Q&A: Requesting Documentation of Domestic Abuse Under VAWA

October 26, 2021    

Q: I manage rental properties that participate in HUD programs. A tenant claims her boyfriend is abusing her and asked me to transfer her to a different unit at one of our other properties. I know that under the Violence Against Women Act (...

COACH's Pop Quiz!

September 27, 2021    

Q: A tenant comes to you in tears and says that a maintenance worker who’s been sexually harassing her for months just entered her apartment and exposed himself. “I’m going to call a lawyer,” she exclaims. You feel...

COACH's Pop Quiz!

May 28, 2021    

The owner of the apartment complex you manage has asked you to investigate a sexual harassment complaint about a maintenance employee made by a tenant at another one of the owner’s properties. Because you have no work relationship with anyone at that property, the owner believes you can...

Assistance Animal FAQs, Part 4: Tenants with Animal Allergies

February 22, 2021    

In this four-part series we’re featuring answers to some tricky questions attendees asked during our recent webinar, How to Handle Requests for Assistance Animals, presented by attorney Theresa L. Kitay.

Q: I have a tenant who’s allergic to dogs and...

Assistance Animal FAQs, Pt. 3: Restricted Breeds

February 22, 2021    

In this four-part series we’re featuring answers to some tricky questions attendees asked during our recent webinar, How to Handle Requests for Assistance Animals, presented by attorney Theresa L. Kitay.

Q: We have verified that a tenant’s Rottweiler...

Assistance Animal FAQs, Pt. 2: Backdated Verifications for Assistance Animals

February 22, 2021    

In this four-part series we’re featuring answers to some tricky questions attendees asked during our recent webinar, How to Handle Requests for Assistance Animals, presented by attorney Theresa L. Kitay.

Q: If a tenant who’s requesting permission for...

Assistance Animal FAQs, Pt. 1: When to Charge—or Refund—a Pet Deposit

February 22, 2021    

In this four-part series we’re featuring answers to some tricky questions attendees asked during our recent webinar, How to Handle Requests for Assistance Animals, presented by attorney Theresa L. Kitay.

Q: When tenants...

COACH's Pop Quiz!

January 28, 2021    

Q: A criminal records check reveals that a rental applicant was arrested on rape charges twice, once in 1997 and again in 2009. Do you have legitimate, nondiscriminatory grounds to reject his application?

a....

Avoid Discrimination Claims When Offering Rent Repayment Plans

December 15, 2020    

During the pandemic, many communities have been negotiating rent repayment plans to help residents who are struggling financially avoid eviction due to what may be only a temporary financial setback. The common practice of negotiating with residents on an individual basis results in different...

COACH's Pop Quiz!

December 15, 2020    

Are COVID-Related Reasons for Nonrenewal Discriminatory?

Q: A resident who owes you a lot of money in unpaid rent and who has a history of disturbing her neighbors is finally coming to the end of her lease. She wants to renew, but...

Voucher Protection Laws Expand at State and Local Levels

November 13, 2020    

The share of voucher holders covered by voucher protection laws is growing, according to a recent report from The Urban Institute and the Poverty & Race Research Action Council (PRRAC). Their dataset and accompanying report entitled, “...

COACH's Pop Quiz!

October 22, 2020    

Q: Your community was built in the 1980s. The leasing office is on the first floor, but there’s a step at the building entrance. Although it’s not covered under the FHA’s design and construction standards, your community could still face a...