Fair Housing Quiz

Everyone living in Colorado is protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). Test out your Fair Housing knowledge by answering these quick true or false questions!

1. Housing providers can charge an additional deposit for service animals.

False. Housing providers cannot charge an additional deposit for service animals OR assistance animals which provide support to an individual with a disability. They also cannot require additional insurance or restrict the breed/size of animal. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is false! Housing providers cannot charge an additional deposit for service animals OR assistance animals which provide support to an individual with a disability. They also cannot require additional insurance or restrict the breed/size of animal. Click here for more information!

2. The Fair Housing Act allows a childless, but pregnant, woman to claim protection under the familial status section of the law.

Correct, it is true! It also protects anyone who is currently seeking custody of a child under the age of 18. Click here for more information!

True. It also protects anyone who is currently seeking custody of a child under the age of 18. Click here for more information!

3. A housing provider can decline to show a rental applicant using a wheelchair an apartment on an upper floor.

False. The housing provider is obligated to show any apartments that are within the price range of the applicant. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is false! The housing provider is obligated to show any apartments that are within the price range of the applicant. Click here for more information!

4. When HUD receives a Fair Housing complaint, they have up to 100 days to determine if there is reasonable cause to charge discrimination.

Correct, it is true! HUD gathers information from all parties involved, inspects properties, and reviews documents before taking further action. Click here for more information!

True. HUD gathers information from all parties involved, inspects properties, and reviews documents before taking further action. Click here for more information!

5. A housing provider can refuse to install, or allow the tenant to install, a flashing doorbell as a Reasonable Modification for his hearing impairment.

Likely false. Disability is a covered class under the Fair Housing Act. A flashing doorbell would almost certainly be considered a reasonable modification to the dwelling to ensure the disabled tenant can fundamentally enjoy the dwelling just as those without a disability could. The housing provider would need to show that the installation of the flashing doorbell would amount to “undue financial and administrative burden” or “a fundamental alteration” to the overall housing program. Because this is a very minor and reasonable request, it would likely be discriminatory under the FHA to deny the request. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is likely false! Disability is a covered class under the Fair Housing Act. A flashing doorbell would almost certainly be considered a reasonable modification to the dwelling to ensure the disabled tenant can fundamentally enjoy the dwelling just as those without a disability could. The housing provider would need to show that the installation of the flashing doorbell would amount to “undue financial and administrative burden” or “a fundamental alteration” to the overall housing program. Because this is a very minor and reasonable request, it would likely be discriminatory under the FHA to deny the request. Click here for more information!

6. A housing provider can charge families with children more for utilities regardless of actual usage.

False. Familial status is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. A housing provider may charge for utilities based on actual usage, but cannot arbitrarily raise costs because a family has children. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is false! Familial status is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. A housing provider may charge for utilities based on actual usage, but cannot arbitrarily raise costs because a family has children. Click here for more information!

7. When a housing provider receives a reasonable accommodation request from a tenant for an emotional support animal, the housing provider can require medical records from a specific type of doctor.

False. Documentation can be required but does not need to include medical records. This information can come from a physician, optometrist, psychiatrist, psychologist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse, or other medical practitioner. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is false! Documentation can be required but does not need to include medical records. This information can come from a physician, optometrist, psychiatrist, psychologist, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse, or other medical practitioner. Click here for more information!

8. Despite the protection afforded those with disabilities, it is legal for a housing provider to offer an accessible unit to those without disabilities as well as those with disabilities.

Correct, it is true! A housing provider does not have to reserve an accessible unit for only those with disabilities as long as there is no other discrimination involved for any party. Click here for more information!

True. A housing provider does not have to reserve an accessible unit for only those with disabilities as long as there is no other discrimination involved for any party. Click here for more information!

9. A property manager may advertise a property stating, “1-bedroom house for rent, no children permitted!”

False. This ad is not permitted under HUD’s advertising guidelines. Click here for more information!

Correct, it is false! This ad is not permitted under HUD’s advertising guidelines. Click here for more information!

10. Colorado housing regulations do not prohibit considerations based on criminal history.

Correct, it is true! Those with a criminal history are not a protected class under any Fair Housing laws in Colorado - currently. Click here for more information!

True. Those with a criminal history are not a protected class under any Fair Housing laws in Colorado - currently. Click here for more information!

11. The Fair Housing Act benefits everyone.

Correct, it is true! Low-income families, minorities, and those with disabilities are just some examples of people protected with the Fair Housing Act. Click here for more information!

True. Low-income families, minorities, and those with disabilities are just some examples of people protected with the Fair Housing Act. Click here for more information!

Fair Housing Quiz

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