What the Federal Fair Housing Act Means for Property Owners and Managers
The joy of home owners is getting tenants that will pay their rent on time and also take good care of the property. No property owner wants a tenant that will be a cause of pain to other tenants and neighbors, causing trouble and damaging the property. This is why thorough screening of applicants is necessary to save you from these headaches and make the most out of your property. In doing this however, you need to follow the law and abide by the Fair Housing Act.
This law implements ways to curtail discrimination of renters and home buyers alike. This law forbids discrimination against anyone, and makes it illegal to victimize a person because of color, race, sex, religion, national origin, family status or handicap. In some states, there are extra laws that fights against discrimination. Those found guilty of not abiding by fair housing laws faces serious penalties, and property owners must abide by this law.
There are many ways property owners can break this law, and the fines are heavy if found guilty. People have different family backgrounds and property managers may discriminate against certain family types they don’t fancy. If you do so as a home owner or property manager, then you may face serious penalties and pay heavy fines. Come to think of it, are you willing to churn out $100,000 as fine for discriminating? This law, which is also a step forward in fighting against racism will punish property managers who refuse to show renters available housing and features based on their color. Never mix work with pleasure, that is why as a property manager you shouldn’t sexually harass renters because if you do, a heavy penalty awaits you. In the fair housing act, people with disabilities who have a service or an emotional support pet must be allowed to keep it, even if pets are prohibited. Going against this and denying such people to keep their pet is frowned upon and will cost you much.
Professional property managers are trained never to allow emotions cloud their sense of judgement so as to avoid discriminating against renters and comply by the Federal Fair House Act. Selecting tenants shouldn’t be done based on emotions, but according to the law. Every potential tenant should be treated exactly the same at all times, and the criteria used for screening renters should be the same for everyone.
Conclusion
We all know that property owners want to make as much profit as they can with their properties, and the type of tenants they have plays an important role in helping landlords meet their goals. This is because some tenants may be troublesome and even pay their rents late. However, don’t let your pursuit for profit make you bias in selecting renters. As a property manager you should ensure that screening of renters is done without bias and all renters are treated equally. Understanding the fair housing act is very vital, as it will save you from paying unnecessary fines and also protect your reputation, giving you a good image.
