The HUD Testers program was established in association with Fair Housing Amendment Act (FCA) to ensure all citizens or non-citizens who apply for rental houses or buy one with equal rights and that the procedures are taken forward fairly.
The number of housing agencies in different states has increased in the last few years. And discrimination rates have gone higher. To tackle the situation, HUD has taken forward the program to ensure they eliminate all discriminatory acts and make the house procedure fair.
Fair Housing testers or HUD testers look for violations of laws under HUD and housing policies. This includes discrimination against race, color, national origin, age, familial discrimination, disability, language, religion, etc. In addition to this, HUD testers also look out for the compliance of HUD rules of the HQS (Housing Quality Standards) to ensure that everyone is provided with safe, decent, and sanitary housing. Here is a list of a few things that are red flags and direct violations of the laws, hence HUD testers look for:
1. Discrimination against individuals
Under Fair Housing Act, discrimination of any sort is considered unlawful and punishable under federal and state laws. HUD Testers specifically look for discriminatory practices taking place in renting or selling properties. Some common examples are discriminating against people’s originality, language, color, and race.
HUD testers look out for how housing agents behave, take forward the procedure and choose the tenant. If suspected any sort of discriminatory act or behavior at any level of the process, a decision made biasedly and not based on the policies, will immediately be reported and taken action against.
Remember that violations of the laws of fair housing act have strict punishable circumstances. To avoid being a victim, stay compliant with the laws. And to avoid being a victim of misunderstanding, make sure you have all the processes accurately documented.
2. Quality Standards of the home according to HUD
HUD rules for quality housing standards are no joke and must be taken into consideration. HUD testers check for the quality and living standards of the properties and houses to ensure that it’s safe and sanitary. There are strict guidelines of HUD for proper housing in different societies that need to be followed by housing agencies and landlords.
HUD testers will look for housing deficiencies to report if found. Or something that’s not secure or puts the people living in the house at risk.
3. Policies of the housing agency
Apart from the laws, housing agents are also required to stay compliant with their housing agency policies. Failure to do so can cost them their job as well. HUD testers often look for errors made in housing policies to report.
Final Words
There can be many flags found if not compliant with the laws. Rather than just looking out for what HUD testers check, it’s important to stay compliant and take preventive measures. Because once a violation is inspected or tested, then it’s too late to correct it.
