Community Association Liability – Neighbor to Neighbor Discrimination

There is a dangerous trend being established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) under the Federal Fair Housing Act (the “Act”) and the enforcement of the Act of which community associations must be aware.  On April 4, 2016, HUD’s General Counsel issued guidance regarding the application of the Act on the use of criminal arrests and convictions by community associations to screen potential purchasers and renters. Pursuant to this guidance, HUD provides a three element standard by which criminal history-based screening provisions are evaluated: (1) whether the criminal history policy or practice has a discriminatory effect; (2) whether the criminal history policy or practice is necessary to achieve a substantial, legitimate, non-discriminatory interest; and (3) whether there is a less discriminatory alternative.     Read the article…………….

Editor

Recent Posts

The Importance of Professional HOA Contracts (GA)

Community associations cannot accomplish all the tasks they are responsible for without getting outside professionals…

11 hours ago

Condo owners in costly fight vs. developer (IA)

The five women estimate it has cost $50,000 so far to sue to try to…

11 hours ago

What’s next for condominium insurance? Current realities and what condo boards can plan for (ON)

In recent years, we navigated a challenging insurance environment known as a “hard market”. This…

12 hours ago

Rising insurance costs push aspiring condo buyers into a tough spot (HI)

Housing affordability is getting squeezed by a new pressure — the cost of insurance.  At…

12 hours ago

Bill Seeks to Raise Emission Caps, Delay Penalties for Garden Co-ops and Condos (NY)

City Councilmember Linda Lee, a Queens Democrat, has introduced a new bill that updates an…

12 hours ago

Insurance fees skyrocket at Williams Lake’s Terra Ridge (BC)

Insurance for the Terra Ridge strata in Williams Lake has increased by almost four times…

13 hours ago