When choosing a property manager, one of the most important questions you can ask is: “How knowledgeable are you about housing discrimination laws?”
Many property owners assume discrimination issues only involve obvious categories such as race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. While those are certainly important protected classes, fair housing laws are much broader and often more complex than many people realize.
Housing discrimination can take many forms, and the rules continue to evolve. Even well-intentioned landlords and property managers can find themselves violating fair housing laws simply because they don't fully understand the regulations.
A Common Example: Emotional Support Animals
One area that frequently creates confusion is emotional support animals (ESAs).
Many landlords have “no pets” policies and assume that means they can deny any animal. However, emotional support animals are generally not considered pets under fair housing laws.
For example, if a prospective tenant says they have an emotional support animal and a landlord responds, “We don't allow pets,” that could create a fair housing issue. Simply treating an emotional support animal as a pet can lead to misunderstandings and potential liability.
This situation often surprises property owners. A landlord may believe they're enforcing a reasonable building policy, but fair housing laws may require a different approach.
Why This Matters:
Both property managers and property owners can be held responsible for fair housing violations. That's why it's critical to work with a property management company that stays informed, asks questions, and continually educates itself on changing regulations.
Sometimes what feels reasonable or common sense may not align with current housing laws. Understanding that distinction can protect both property owners and prospective tenants.
Questions to Ask Your Property Manager
When interviewing a property manager, consider asking: How do you stay current on fair housing laws? How do you handle accommodation requests? What is your process for emotional support animal requests? How do you ensure compliance with discrimination regulations? Have you received fair housing training?
Their answers can tell you a lot about their experience and commitment to compliance.
The Bottom Line…
Fair housing laws are complex, and no one knows everything. The key is working with professionals who take these responsibilities seriously, continue learning, and prioritize fair, non-discriminatory practices.
At Redwood Prime Realty, we believe education and compliance are essential parts of professional property management. We are constantly learning, asking questions, and working to ensure our practices remain fair, lawful, and beneficial for both property owners and residents.
Understanding discrimination laws isn't just about avoiding legal issues—it's about creating better housing experiences and stronger communities.
