HUD has recently been active with the HUD-Testers program to eliminate all sorts of discrimination and maintain proper Housing Quality Standards (HQS) for a decent home. Their efforts are extended under the Fair Housing Act to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally to be provided with safe and suitable housing, in the society or community of their choice.

So far HUD has awarded over 50 million for the investigations to identify discrimination. HUD has been working with 100-plus local fair housing organizations to address violations of the law and FCA (Fair Housing Act).

It is also extremely difficult to know and differentiate testers from real clients. As the numbers increase and HUD is specifically focusing on this program, you could be under surveillance at any time. So make sure you are always compliant with the rules and HUD policies.

Here are some tips to look out for HUD testers:

1. Calculated questions

Although the HUD tester’s job is to naturally and simply raise queries about the availability of the properties and some other basic questions, they often ask calculated questions that they might have been told prior to the calls or visits. This is because they know exactly what they are looking for and quite often ask triggering questions. A wrong answer to these questions could be a red flag.

If it is a phone call or an in-person visit, most people only inquire about the property and proceed with the procedure. HUD testers may go the extra mile to ask tricky questions to ensure no discrimination is taking place. Some examples of these questions could be as followed:

• I have a pitbull as my service animal, there is no problem with that, right?
• Is this a good community for a certain type of people?

2. Visiting together

It’s not rare to have visitors of a different race, color, or origin at the same time but sometimes it could be HUD testers. These testers visit together to see if you are biased based on discriminatory factors or just following the policies to see who is more eligible. And also if you are giving both parties the same treatment.

3. Checking out the property carefully

It’s quite common for people to check out a property that’s fascinating or even nice. But we all know that when a house is not that good to be checked out that carefully. HUD testers apart from looking for discrimination also check for the housing quality standards (HQS).

Since they cannot enter your space without your permission or consent, they often check out the site or surroundings, pathways, driveway and yard, and even the outer look and condition of your home to ensure it’s all compliant with HUD rules and housing policies.

Final Words

Complaints against your agency or property for any such violations can be time-consuming and extremely expensive to handle. It’s important to always stay compliant with the laws and be prepared for them. Keep records of all the procedures, so that in case of any misunderstandings you have documented proof to dismiss the complaint.