The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (FHAA) is a federal law that strengthens and expands the prohibitions on discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, familial status, disability, and religion. As a property manager, you may be wondering what this law means for you and your tenants.
The FHAA has had a significant impact on the real estate industry. While there are some benefits to the amendments, there are also some negative impacts that need to be addressed. In this article, let us discuss how to avoid the negative impacts of the FHAA.
Step 1: Understand the Purpose of the Amendments
The FHAA was created to protect individuals from discrimination in housing. The law strengthens the prohibitions on discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, familial status, disability, and religion. This means that landlords cannot discriminate against tenants based on any of these characteristics.
Step 2: Know Your Rights as a Tenant
As a tenant, you have the right to live in housing that is safe and without discrimination. The FHAA protects you from discrimination in terms of rent prices, lease terms, and conditions of the property. You also have the right to move into any housing that is available and to terminate your lease without penalty.
Step 3: Educate Your Tenants About Their Rights Under the Amendments
It is important for tenants to understand their rights under the FHAA. You can help your tenants understand their rights by providing them with information about Flyers or Brochures about the FHAA. In addition, you can also provide educational sessions for your tenants on their rights under the Amendments.
Step 4: Be Prepared to Document Any Discriminations That Occur
If you experience any instances of discrimination, be prepared to document them. You can do this by taking notes during the conversation that took place, photographing or videotaping the situation, and/or recording a copy of the lease agreement.
Final Words
The Fair Housing Amendments Act has had a significant impact on the real estate industry. While there are some benefits to the amendments, there are also some negative impacts that need to be addressed. By following these steps, you can help minimize negative impacts and ensure that your business continues to grow and succeed. You can attend the Compliance Prime webinar to learn more about the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA).
