with John Adams
FAIR HOUSING IN GEORGIA:
How To Obey The Law & Stay Out of Federal Prison
Qualifies for 3 Hours Continuing Education Credit for Real Estate Agents & Broker
$69.00
Whether you own one investment property or manage 200 units, it’s important for you and your team to understand and abide by applicable federal, state and local fair housing laws; promote an equal housing opportunity for tenants; and run a compliant rental business.
In this seminar, John Adams will teach you:
- –What does equal housing opportunity mean?
- –What is rental discrimination?
- –What classes are protected from rental discrimination?
- –How should you determine maximum occupancy?
- –What should you consider when renting to families with children?
- –Who is exempt from fair housing laws?
- –What do fair housing laws prohibit?
- –What is reasonable accommodation?
- –What is a SERVICE ANIMAL?
- –What is an ASSISTANCE ANIMAL?
- –What is an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL?
- –Can an ALLIGATOR be a SERVICE ANIMAL?
The Fair Housing Act is the federal law that grants fair housing protections and rights to renters and buyers. The act was originally adopted as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, and it was subsequently broadened in 1988 to prohibit discrimination because of a person’s protected class when renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance or engaging in other housing-related activities.
Fair housing compliance is diverse and complicated. Effective training is necessary to avoid complaints and costly lawsuits. It costs your applicant or tenant NOTHING to initiate a Fair Housing Complaint against you and your firm. And the results can be financially devastating.
In this seminar, you will receive:
- –Fair Housing ROAD MAP of the Rental Process
- –Fair Housing Tip Sheet
- –An Overview of Fair Housing Compliance
- –Links to applicable Fair Housing topics
- –A 25 Question Certification Exam
- –a Certificate of Successful Course Completion
- –A FAIR HOUSING Poster that complies with 24 CFR Part 110
- –Fair Housing Compliance Tools & Ideas
- –Important Clauses to Add to your Lease & Application
Penalties for Fair Housing violations can vary depending on whether the case is processed via court, HUD, or elsewhere. Penalties can include fines, punitive damages, and attorney fees. This is why it’s important to follow a consistent process with every applicant and keep clear records of communications along the way.
If you’re found to be in violation of Fair Housing laws, penalties can include:
- A charge against you by the U.S. Departing of Housing and Urban Development where you’ll need to attend several hearings and defend the claim in front of a HUD Administrative Law Judge. Note that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will likely pursue the case on behalf of the plaintiff.
- The landlord will be responsible for the plaintiff’s compensatory damages that could include out-of-pocket expenses while finding alternative housing, rent fees associated with alternative housing, and/or legal fees to process the claim.
- Non-economic damages may also be awarded for the humiliation, mental anguish, and/or psychological injuries of the plaintiff. These are in addition to the above-mentioned expenses.
- Civil penalties may be levied up to $16,000 for the first violation, or $65,000 if there were two or more cases of discrimination up to seven years prior to the present case. In cases where the DOJ is involved, the fine for civil penalties can go up to $100,000.
- Punitive damages may also be awarded by federal district courts. These aren’t damages to reimburse the complainant but rather damages to punish the wrongdoer where there is clear evidence of willful or malicious intent.
- Your own LEGAL DEFENSE FEES paid to your own lawyer will likely be in excess of $15,000, even if you win your case.
- In addition to all the above, the Courts may issue injunctions if they feel prompt action is necessary to prevent immediate and irreparable harm.
Additionally, HUD keeps a record of all charges that are filed through them and makes this information publicly available, which means past cases of housing discrimination will not be quick to disappear.
“Whether you own one investment property or manage 200 units, it’s important for you and your team to understand and abide by applicable federal, state and local fair housing laws; promote an equal housing opportunity for tenants; and run a compliant rental business.”
John Adams, Director of Education
Institute For Real Estate Policy®
Decatur, GA 30030
Notice: This class is approved for 3 hours continuing education credit by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.
School # 900026, Course Code 76205
No hours of Georgia “approved continuing education” can be granted for the replay