Settlements

Behind the Headlines: Lessons Learned from the Latest Fair Housing News

This is the first of four articles that MHCO spotlights settlements reached in fair housing cases. The amounts reportedly paid are sometimes staggering—which is news in and of itself—and show just how much it can cost to resolve fair housing complaints.

The owners and managers of a single-family rental home in Idaho recently agreed to pay $15,000 to settle allegations that they violated fair housing law by refusing to rent the large home to a married couple because they have more than four children.

The Fair Housing Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibit housing providers from denying or limiting housing to persons with disabilities and from refusing to make reasonable accommodations in policies or practices.

The owners and manager of three apartment buildings in Washington have agreed to pay $95,000 in damages and civil penalties to resolve a lawsuit charging them with refusing to rent to families with children, according to a recent announcement by the Justice Department.

Last month, HUD announced that the owners and managers of two California apartment complexes has agreed to pay $72,000 to resolve allegations of discrimination against a female resident with disabilities who requires an assistance animal.

Answer: You haven'tindicated whether this person is a long-term tenant or perhaps just a "vacation occupant." Under Oregon law, a "vacation occupant" is someone who: (1) Rents the RV space for vacation purposes only, not as a principal residence, (2) has a principal residence other than at the RV park, and (3) does not occupy the RV park for more than 45 days.