February 2020 Coach's Quiz

We’ve suggested 10 essential rules to follow to avoid fair housing trouble. 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

It’s illegal to refuse to rent to any minority prospects, but not to bend the truth about available units when they ask about vacancies. True or false?

a.            True.

b.            False.

QUESTION #2

Under the FHA, it’s unlawful to deny housing to people from other countries, but you could also face a fair housing complaint for refusing to rent to applicants who can’t speak English. True or false?

a.            True.

b.            False. 

QUESTION #3

A prospect says she’s interested in a unit, but that the rent is higher than she expected. The leasing agent says he’s sure they can work out some arrangement if she’d go out with him. The leasing agent says he’d be doing her a favor by reducing the rent, so it’s not sexual harassment. True or false?

a.            True.

b.            False.

QUESTION #4

You could trigger a fair housing complaint if your advertising describes an available unit as “Perfect for empty nesters.” True or false?

a.            True.

b.            False.

QUESTION #5

As long as your community complies with federal fair housing law, you’ve done all you can to avoid fair housing trouble. True or false?

a.            True.

b.            False.

COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS

QUESTION #1

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #1 applies here:

                Rule #1: Don’t Discriminate Based on Race or Color

Subtle forms of discrimination are just as unlawful as blatantly discriminatory practices. Under the FHA, it’s unlawful to provide inaccurate or false information about availability because of a prospect’s race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.

QUESTION #2

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rule #2 applies here:

                Rule #2: Don’t Discriminate Based on National Origin

Your community could face a fair housing claim for discrimination based on national origin if you refuse to rent to applicants who don’t speak English. Though people with limited English proficiency are not a protected class under the FHA, the law prohibits discrimination on national origin, which is closely linked to the ability to communicate proficiently in English.

QUESTION #3

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #5 applies here:

                Rule #5: Don’t Discriminate Based on Sex

The prospect could sue the community for quid pro quo sexual harassment, which occurs when housing benefits are explicitly or implicitly conditioned on sexual favors. It doesn’t matter whether the leasing agent offers her a favor—or threatens her with adverse action—he’s putting the community at risk of a sexual harassment complaint by suggesting or implying that failure to accept a date could affect the terms of a rental.

QUESTION #4

Correct answer: a

Reason: Rules #4 and #8 apply here:

                Rule #4: Don’t Discriminate Against Families with Children

                Rule #8: Abide by Rules Banning Discriminatory Advertising

Even if you don’t intend to discriminate against families with children, the phrase, “perfect for empty nesters” could suggest a preference for couples who don’t have children living at home—and against families with young children. 

QUESTION #5

Correct answer: b

Reason: Rule #10 applies here:

                Rule #10: Abide by Applicable State and Local Fair Housing Laws

Ensuring compliance with federal fair housing laws is a great first step to protecting your community from fair housing trouble, but you also must comply with any applicable state and local fair housing laws to fully protect your community from discrimination claims. Depending on where you’re located, state and local law may expand fair housing protections beyond federal requirements to ban discrimination based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, and other characteristics.