Fair Housing Laws Flashcards

Which exemption allows an owner who lives in a building with four or fewer units to rent without complying with the Fair Housing Act?

Answer: The Mrs. Murphy exemption

The 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption permits owner-occupants of buildings with four or fewer units to rent without complying with most FHA provisions, though the race discrimination ban still applies.

Under the Fair Housing Act, which type of housing is generally exempt from the familial status provisions?

Answer: Housing for persons 62 or older that meets HUD requirements

Housing communities that qualify as 'housing for older persons' under HUD rules — either 100% age 62+ or 80% age 55+ — are exempt from familial status restrictions.

A property manager requires all applicants to have a credit score of 700 or higher. If this policy disproportionately excludes applicants of a particular national origin with no business justification, it may constitute:

Answer: Disparate impact discrimination

A facially neutral policy that produces a disproportionate adverse effect on a protected class without sufficient justification can violate fair housing under the disparate impact theory.

When a prospective tenant with a hearing impairment requests a sign language interpreter for a lease signing meeting, the landlord should:

Answer: Provide a qualified interpreter as a reasonable accommodation at no cost to the tenant

Providing effective communication for persons with disabilities is a required reasonable accommodation, and the cost generally falls on the housing provider.

Which of the following advertising practices is permissible under fair housing guidelines?

Answer: Including a photo of the property's exterior and amenities in the listing

Advertising physical features of the property is permissible; expressing preference for or against any protected class in ad copy is not.

A tenant who is a victim of domestic violence requests to terminate her lease early without penalty due to safety concerns. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the manager must:

Answer: Grant the request if the tenant provides documentation of the abuse

VAWA protects victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from being penalized under a lease when they provide appropriate documentation.

Which of the following is required for a 55+ housing community to qualify for the familial status exemption?

Answer: At least 80% of occupied units must have one resident who is 55 or older

To qualify under the 55+ exemption, at least 80% of occupied units must have at least one resident age 55 or older, and the community must publish and follow age-verification policies.