Ending Soon: $9.99 Fair Housing Training eBook for Only $1.99

As Fair Housing Month comes to a close, today is the last day to take advantage of Fair Housing Helper's Fair Housing Month Deal: You can still pick up the Kindle version of the award-winning compliance training book—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for the very low price of $1.99.

Thanks to free Kindle apps, you don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer. The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a paperback version is available for $19.99).

Kirkus Reviews calls Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," noting that the "book offers plenty of good advice in plain English" and the "quiz format makes learning the law fun and easy to digest."

To take advantage of this special limited-time offer, visit Amazon.com today.

You can start reading the book immediately after download, and then you'll be on your way to earning your designation as a FairHousingHelper.com Gold Professional (complete with badge and personalized certificate) in no time.

For more information about the book and professional designation, please visit FairHousingHelper.com.

Avoid Fair Housing Traps When Renting Apartments to Single People

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) doesn't protect tenants based on the fact they're not married, but landlords can still get into legal trouble if they treat tenants more—or less—favorably simply because they’re single.

If you're a landlord thinking about turning away prospective tenants for being single, or you're considering creating an apartment community designed for singles only, take a moment to learn about the inherent fair housing risks behind both types of practices.

Check out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Avoid Fair Housing Trouble When Dealing With Single Tenants," for more information.

Caution: Ignoring Apartment Prospects Because of Their Name or Accent May Be Bad for Business—and Illegal

When landlords engage in profiling with prospective tenants at their properties, they're risking fair housing complaints based on national origin, race, or another protected class. Profiling involves making certain assumptions about prospective tenants based on characteristics they have, and then turning them away as a result.

Profiling interferes with prospective tenants in their search for housing while creating risks for landlords. To prevent problems, learn more about the types of profiling and how to avoid it by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com.

Do you know about the Fair Housing Month Sale? Read "Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)" for more information.

Fair Housing Month Sale! $9.99 Fair Housing eBook Only $1.99 (Limited-Time Offer)

To celebrate fair housing month, Fair Housing Helper is pleased to offer, for a limited time, the Kindle version of its award-winning compliance training book—complete with professional designation, badge, and personalized certificate—for only $1.99. The Kindle version normally retails for $9.99 (and a paperback version is available for $19.99). Thanks to free Kindle apps, you don't need a Kindle device and can download the book to read on your tablet, smartphone, or even a computer.

Kirkus Reviews calls Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals a "useful, easy-to-read guide for those who want to learn more about complying with U.S. fair housing law," noting that the "book offers plenty of good advice in plain English" and the "quiz format makes learning the law fun and easy to digest."

Discover the answers to these questions and more:

• What phrases should I avoid when advertising my apartments?
• Can I reject applicants who weren't born in the U.S.A.?
• Do I have enough parking spaces for people with disabilities?
• Must I let a tenant keep a cat for his disability?
• Can I require families to put children in separate bedrooms?
• Can I reject prospects with HIV or AIDS for health reasons?
• Should I worry about discriminating against illegal drug users?
• Will I get fined because all my tenants are white?
• Must I rent to families with children at my senior community?
• Will I get into trouble for turning away Section 8 prospects?
• Can I legally reject prospects who are openly gay?
• Do I need to install grab bars in my apartments' bathrooms?
• Can I decorate my common areas for the holidays?

To take advantage of this special limited-time offer, visit Amazon.com today. You can start reading the book immediately after download, and then you'll be on your way to earning your designation as a FairHousingHelper.com Gold Professional (complete with badge and personalized certificate) in no time.

For more information about the book, please visit FairHousingHelper.com.

Watch President Johnson Proudly Announce the Passage of the Fair Housing Act

After years of debate and struggle, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) became a legislative reality on April 11, 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, of which the FHA was Title VIII.

Since that time, the FHA has been amended to include additional protected classes and provide for stronger enforcement. Its aim, as stated in the very beginning of the text of the law, remains "to provide, within constitutional limitations, for fair housing throughout the United States."

As Fair Housing Month nears its end, take a moment to watch President Johnson speak about his efforts to enact federal housing discrimination legislation and proclaim that one of his presidency's "proudest moments" is the signing into law of the "promises of a century," in this short video (courtesy of History.com):

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know How to File a Fair Housing Complaint With HUD?

If you're an apartment prospect or tenant who believes that your landlord or another housing professional has illegally discriminated against you, you may be able to get relief under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) by filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This popular route saves tenants time and money as well as the need to hire an attorney.

Here are the steps you'll need to take if you decide to proceed with filing a complaint against your landlord with HUD.

Rental Properties and Pets: Making Reasonable Accommodations for a Disability

Landlords are entitled to create and enforce rules governing tenants' pets at a rental property. They can even ban pets from their buildings, if they wish.

But landlords and tenants should both know that landlords can't automatically say no to prospects and tenants who request to keep an animal in their apartment as an accommodation for a disability.

Instead, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) says that landlords must consider all accommodation requests tenants make that they need in connection with a disability, then grant such requests, if they're reasonable. 

See what lessons landlords and tenants can learn from a recent dispute about a family's request to keep a "therapy pig" in their home for the benefit of a child diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger's.

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know When the Fair Housing Act Applies to a Rental Property?

Although the Fair Housing Act (FHA), a federal law, has broad geographic reach, the nation's primary piece of housing discrimination legislation doesn't apply to all rental properties in every situation.

For example, the FHA generally doesn't apply if landlords own and occupy a building with fewer than five apartments. Also, the FHA doesn't apply to most situations where a single-family house is sold or rented without a broker.

Learn more about federal fair housing law exemptions by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Does the Federal Fair Housing Act Apply to Your Rental Property?"

Limit Your Liability After Fair Housing Accusations

As a landlord trying to run a successful business while keeping tenants happy, it's not a good feeling to learn one of your tenants is accusing you of discrimination. But whether a tenant's claims are unfounded or you or a staff member slipped up, there are things you should—and shouldn't—do when you find out about a fair housing complaint.

To start with, it's essential not to panic or let strong feelings rule the day. Maintaining a professional, calm demeanor and thinking clearly is the best way to proceed. Rushing to speak your mind and argue with a tenant who is accusing you of violating the law could lead you to say something you'll later regret or just make the situation worse.

Get more tips on minimizing liability following fair housing accusations by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "What to Do if a Tenant Accuses You of Housing Discrimination."

The Broad Geographic Reach of the Fair Housing Act

Did you know that the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is the law of the land in more than just the mainland?

A federal law, the FHA has a geographic coverage that extends to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States (see 42 USC § 3602(g)).

Just yesterday, for example, Guam Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio signed a proclamation recognizing Fair Housing Month in that territory, according to a report from KUAM.com.

It's Fair Housing Month... When Can an Apartment Rule Legally Single Out Children?

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects tenants based on "familial status," which refers to the presence of at least one child under 18. Despite the FHA's protection, it's okay for landlords to single out children in apartment rules if their health or safety is specifically at stake.

As I explain in an article for About.com, you can determine if a rule at your apartment building is in compliance with the FHA by asking yourself two questions.

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Have the Right to Display Religious Objects in Your Apartment?

For many tenants, making an apartment feel like home means displaying their faith in their decor. But before you place items on a shelf or attach them to your wall, you might wonder if a landlord can restrict which religious objects you choose to display, or even ask you to make your apartment decor appear less religious.

Thanks to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which applies across the United States, tenants can feel free to include what they wish in their decor, and landlords who try to limit religious displays inside tenants' homes are violating the FHA's ban on religious discrimination.

Learn more about how federal law protects you when it comes to religious decor by checking out my article for About.com, entitled "Your Right to Display Religious Objects in Your Apartment."

Tenants With HIV/AIDS: Follow 7 Dos & Don'ts to Avoid Fair Housing Problems

Many landlords are hesitant, if not scared, to rent to tenants whom they know or suspect have HIV or AIDS. They fear that doing so would put other tenants at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, and that they could face liability for any harm their tenants suffer.

But the Fair Housing Act (FHA), through its ban on disability-based discrimination, protects people with HIV/AIDS from being treated differently during the rental process, which means landlords can actually get into trouble if they refuse to rent to tenants simply because they have HIV/AIDS.

It's also important to be aware of the fact that HIV/AIDS isn't spread by casual contact or even through the air, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, landlords (and other tenants) needn't fear an AIDS epidemic at their property.

I recently put together a set of dos and don'ts to avoid violating the FHA when it comes to renting to tenants with HIV or AIDS. Check them out in my article for Nolo.com, entitled "Dealing With Rental Applicants Who Have HIV/AIDS."

Landlords: Don't Let Small Talk Lead to Big Fair Housing Trouble

Whether it's casual chit-chat or formal discussions about rental terms, conversations between landlords and tenants can quickly turn inappropriate. What a landlord says or asks can lead to fair housing liability or be used as additional evidence to support a tenant's later claim of illegal housing discrimination.

To prevent problems, landlords need to be mindful of all the protected classes under fair housing laws and avoid questions or topics that touch on them.

Following this tip will help you feel more confident that you won't invite fair housing liability when talking about other tenants or when talking to prospects and tenants about themselves. For more help, check out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Avoid Inappropriate Conversations With Prospects and Tenants."

Lower Your Fair Housing Risk by Telling Prospects About All Available Apartments

Some landlords don't tell prospects about all the available apartments at their building that fit their search parameters. Very often, it's because the landlords make assumptions about unstated needs or limitations that they believe the prospects have. For example, some landlords assume that a prospect with a noticeable mobility impairment might not be interested in renting an apartment that's far from the elevator or situated on the third floor of a walkup.

Find out why it's always best to tell prospects about all vacancies that match their criteria by checking out the third video from the "Fair Housing Tips in Less Than a Minute" YouTube series.

Are Landlords Required to Take Applicants in the Order They Apply?

Whether you're a landlord or a tenant, you might wonder if accepting qualified applicants out of order amounts to illegal housing discrimination.

The short answer is it could be, but even landlords who don't intend to discriminate risk giving the appearance of doing so through inconsistent screening practices.

Learn more by checking out my guest post on Landlordology.com, entitled "Do I Have to Accept Applicants in the Order They Applied?"

How a Tenant Selection Plan Can Lower Fair Housing Risks

If you're a landlord who doesn't have a written tenant selection plan or if you have one but you and your staff treat it as an internal document, you may be unwittingly increasing your risk of fair housing accusations.

Creating a written tenant selection plan that you share with applicants is a smart idea. Applicants who first learn about your screening criteria from a rejection letter are more likely to question whether discrimination was behind your decision.

Learn more about this by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Avoid Fair Housing Trouble with a Tenant Selection Plan."

It's Fair Housing Month... Did You Know That Retaliation Is Its Own Fair Housing Violation?

Many landlords and tenants alike don't know that retaliation is itself a fair housing violation. This means that a landlord who takes adverse action against a tenant because the tenant is pursuing a fair housing complaint is violating the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Even if the underlying complaint proves to be unsuccessful, a tenant can still succeed in bringing a complaint against the landlord based on retaliation.

Find out more about retaliation under the FHA by checking out the fifth video from the "Fair Housing Tips in Less Than a Minute" YouTube series.

It's Fair Housing Month... Can Landlords Ban Pets from Apartments?

One common source of confusion landlords and tenants have is when it comes to the legality of pets at an apartment building. Many landlords wish to bar tenants from keeping any animal in their apartments, while other landlords allow pets but with restrictions.

Is taking such action legal? Are such landlords risking fair housing violations?

Find out what a landlord's responsibility is when it comes to tenants and pets by checking out the fourth video from the "Fair Housing Tips in Less Than a Minute" YouTube series.

Do You Know What Happened 47 Years Ago Today?

Today, many people take the protections under federal fair housing law for granted. But not too long ago—47 years ago today, in fact—was when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968 into law. Title VIII of this landmark piece of legislation is commonly known as the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which has served as the primary vehicle through which to seek redress for harm suffered as a result of housing discrimination violations across the United States.

The path toward adopting comprehensive anti-discrimination housing legislation was a hard-fought battle that spanned several generations.

Remember this historic day and learn more about its origins by taking a moment to read a "History of Fair Housing," courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know the Basics of Fair Housing Law?

People who become the victim of housing discrimination can suffer a range of problems, most notably financial loss and emotional distress. Although the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law with a strong enforcement mechanism, many apartment tenants aren't familiar with how the law protects them against discrimination.

This Fair Housing Month, take a moment to become more empowered by getting familiar with your fair housing rights, learning how to spot illegal discrimination, and knowing what your options are for dealing with landlords and others who are infringing on your rights.

Check out my article, entitled "Housing Discrimination Basics" for About.com.

Fair Housing Compliance Training in a Convenient and Affordable eBook

In connection with Fair Housing Month last year, Fair Housing Helper launched the eBook version of Fair Housing Helper for Apartment Professionals, its popular compliance product aimed at helping landlords, property managers, leasing agents, and staff comply with the Fair Housing Act and related housing discrimination laws.

The Kindle eBook edition still retails for $9.99, 50% less than the $19.99 list price for the paperback, which is available on Amazon.com and other online retailers. Apartment professionals can now train using their tablet, smartphone, or even a PC or Mac, as well as on a Kindle device, thanks to free Kindle apps.

Extra savings: Readers who have already purchased the paperback version from Amazon.com can pick up the new Kindle edition for only $2.99 under the new Kindle MatchBook program. New readers who purchase both the print and Kindle versions from Amazon.com also get the Kindle edition for $2.99.

Read the press release, "Fair Housing Training on an iPad? New eBook Makes Discrimination Training Even More Convenient and Affordable," for more information and visit FairHousingHelper.com.

Why, Exactly, Is April Fair Housing Month?

Many people in the housing industry are aware that April is known as "Fair Housing Month," but not everyone knows why.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) became law in April 1968, as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, a landmark piece of legislation. President Johnson signed the FHA into law on April 11, one week after the assassination of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equality in housing.

Read more about how April came to be known as Fair Housing Month in an earlier FairHousingBlog.com post.

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know Which Protected Classes Your State Law Includes?

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law that protects tenants across the United States from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status. But many states, as well as the District of Columbia, have their own fair housing laws that go beyond the FHA, offering protection to many more tenants under a wider range of circumstances.

These states do this by including additional protected classes in their laws, such as age, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, and source of income, for example.

Use this interactive listing I put together of state fair housing laws for About.com as a resource to check if your state has additional protected classes.

It's Fair Housing Month... Here's One Thing Landlords Should Avoid Doing With Tenants With Disabilities

Some landlords introduce extra financial obstacles between tenants and a new apartment just because those tenants have a disability. For example, some landlords require tenants who use motorized wheelchairs to purchase liability insurance while others charge tenants a greater security deposit to protect against possible property damage from any type of wheelchair. But landlords who take such action could face liability for violating the Fair Housing Act's (FHA) ban on disability-based discrimination.

Even if a tenant with a disability can afford to pay more, treating tenants differently based on whether they have a disability is still illegal.

Find out more about why it's against the law as well as when landlords can make tenants pay for damage without risking fair housing violations by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Don't Make Tenants Pay for Having a Disability."

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know What 'Steering' Is?

“Steering” is an important fair housing concept that every landlord and tenant should be aware of. It's an industry term that refers to a set of situations in which a landlord tries to guide tenants to certain parts of a building or discourage them from renting there at all, based on a discriminatory reason.

It's a comparatively more subtle form of housing discrimination (as opposed to, say, turning away rental applicants altogether based on a protected class), but it's still illegal and can lead to fair housing violations.

Find out more about steering, including why it's against the law and how landlords can avoid even inadvertently steering their tenants, by checking out my recent article for Nolo.com, entitled "Avoid Practicing Illegal Steering at Your Rental Property."

Six Myths May Be to Blame for Delaying Fair Housing Compliance Training

Many landlords, property managers, and other housing professionals who aren't knowledgeable about fair housing law likely have a reason for not getting the training they need. For example, they may believe there's just not much to know when it comes to fair housing compliance, or they might feel it will never be too late to take corrective action to make a discrimination problem go away.

But such beliefs are not valid reasons for delaying training. In fact, even if you have the best intentions, you're unwittingly subjecting yourself to a high risk of fair housing liability by continuing to operate in the dark.

If you've been putting off getting fair housing training, check out my guest post on Liz Bramlet's Blog to see if you find any of these six common myths familiar.

It's Fair Housing Month... Do You Know Who's Protected Against Familial Status Discrimination?

A relative latecomer to federal housing discrimination law, "familial status" is a protected class that refers to the presence of at least one child under 18 years old. The goal of including "familial status" in the Fair Housing Act is to give tenants the right not to be turned away from housing or be treated differently just because they have kids.

Familial status sounds straightforward, but there's a bit more to it than meets the eye.

For example...

• Are families with adopted children protected just as much as those with biological children?
• Do parents in a household have to be married?
• Can the owner of a senior housing community legally turn away families with children?
• Are all rules that single out children automatically in violation of federal law?

Find out the answers to these questions and more in my recent Nolo.com article, entitled "Who's Protected Against Familial Status Discrimination?"

It's Fair Housing Month... Have You Watched 'Fair Housing Tips in Less Than a Minute'?

Are you a landlord or property manager in need of some quick guidance on how to comply with fair housing law?

Check out the playlist for the YouTube video series, "Fair Housing Tips In Less Than a Minute," which covers topics ranging from understanding protected classes to banning pets at an apartment.

You can also view each short video individually by following these links:

• Tip #1: Protected Classes
• Tip #2: Singling Out Children
• Tip #3: Telling Prospects About Apartments
• Tip #4: Banning Pets
• Tip #5: Retaliating Against Tenants

Check this blog for announcements of new tips as they're added to the series. Plus, for more helpful information about housing discrimination, visit fairhousingresources.com.

Fair Housing Month Begins With Launch of New Awareness Campaign

Today, the first day of what has become known as Fair Housing Month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a nationwide media campaign aimed at spreading awareness of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), which was signed into law 47 Aprils ago.

The campaign, developed in partnership with the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), will include both print and digital public service announcements (PSAs) in several languages, along with webinars, training presentations, brochures, online videos, and social media outreach, according to a press release today from HUD.

You can view PSAs such as the following ones by visiting the NFHA's Fair Housing Resource Center:

• The value of diverse communities - English | Spanish
• Discrimination in obtaining home financing - English | Spanish
• Getting evicted as a veteran with PTSD - English | Spanish