5 Things Every Landlord Should Know About Fair Housing Laws

A piece of legislation called the Fair Housing Act exists to promote equality in local communities nationwide. The Fair Housing Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on April 11th, 1968. The Civil Rights Legislation of 1964, which outlawed discrimination in public places, allowed for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and forbade it in the workplace, was expected to be followed up by the legislation. The Fair Housing Act safeguards individuals nationwide against housing discrimination based on factors such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and handicap. Landlords must ensure that they do not discriminate when choosing tenants, accommodate those with impairments, that their advertisements are effective, and that they conduct adequate research on protected classes. This article will share five things every landlord should know about fair housing laws.
 

Protected classes should always be respected

Groups of people known as protected classes are those who are legally shielded from discrimination by fair housing rules. There are seven federally protected classifications in the United States. That includes prejudice based on racial, ethnic, or skin-color characteristics. Nobody can use a person's skin tone as a basis for discrimination. Additionally, illegal discrimination is based on a person's ancestry, place of birth, or language. A person's religion, beliefs, or practices cannot be used as justification for discrimination. Fair housing rules forbid discrimination based on a person's gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Discrimination against pregnant women and couples with children is prohibited. Discrimination against anyone who requires a service animal or other reasonable accommodations due to physical or mental impairments is illegal. These protected classes are among the essential things every landlord should know. It’s morally wrong and punishable by law to discriminate against them.

The application process needs to be the same for everyone

No matter whether protected class a person belongs to, the application procedure must be the same for everyone. Landlords are prohibited from requesting information from any applicant that is not required of all applicants. Landlords are also prohibited from using screening standards that disproportionately disadvantage specific protected populations. The application procedure is a crucial component of fair housing regulations and needs to be handled without discrimination.  Every applicant should go through the same application procedure. That means the same information should be requested, and the screening process should be applied to all applicants.  All candidates should be subject to the landlord's transparent and impartial screening standards. These standards should be based on income, credit history, and rental history and not unfairly disadvantage specific protected classes.
 

The application process, including all supporting material provided by applicants and any screening standards applied, should be documented in detail by the landlord. Additionally, landlords must respond to all applications promptly and refrain from rejecting any applicants based solely on the response time.

A reasonable accommodation is among the essential things every landlord should know

Landlords need fair housing regulations to adjust reasonably for renters or applicants with impairments. Any modification, exemption, or adjustment to a landlord's rules, policies, or procedures that may be required to enable a tenant or applicant with a handicap to utilize and enjoy a rental property fully is known as reasonable accommodation.  Changes or adaptations to regulations, policies, practices, or processes are known as reasonable accommodations when they do not place an excessive financial or administrative burden on the landlord and are required to give a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a home. Disabled tenants and applicants may ask their landlords for fair accommodations. These requests must receive a prompt and reasonable response from the landlord.
 

Landlords need to provide a livable space for tenants. That means the house must be equipped with everything necessary to live there. If your place is not prepared, maybe you need to acquire the required items and move them to your place. Expert movers at Transparent International NYC also advise you to pack and store everything you don’t need. Maybe you will require that stuff later. Reasonable accommodation is among the essential things every landlord should know. So, be aware of this.

Advertising should be inclusive

Landlords must ensure that their advertising materials do not contravene fair housing regulations or discriminate against protected classes because advertising is a crucial component of fair housing laws. Advertising material should be neutral and not indicate or imply any bias in favor of or against any specific protected class. For example, refrain from using "no children" or "perfect for young professionals." Images used in advertising should be inclusive and diverse and not imply that a particular sort of person is the only one for whom the property is appropriate. The advertisement must expressly mention any exceptions to the fair housing regulations, such as those that apply to senior homes. Landlords should also keep clear records of all advertising materials used, including the dates and locations of the advertisements.
 

The government enforces fair housing laws

One of the most essential things every landlord should know is that government agencies and private organizations enforce fair housing laws. Federal and state fair housing regulations are strictly enforced, and landlords who break them may be subject to harsh legal repercussions. A complaint can be made to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or a state or local fair housing agency by anybody who feels they have been the victim of housing discrimination. After receiving a complaint, the agency will launch an investigation to ascertain whether discrimination occurred. In case of discrimination, landlords can face penalties such as fines, damages to the victim, and mandatory training on fair housing laws. Knowing fair housing laws will ensure that you provide equal housing opportunities to all applicants and tenants and avoid facing legal consequences for discrimination.
 

Understanding fair housing laws will help you avoid trouble. In this article, we wanted to share five things every landlord should know about fair housing laws.