Fair Housing Act Compliance

The federal Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, along with similar state laws, create a web of laws and regulations that can befuddle condominium, cooperative, and homeowners’ association Boards of Directors and the professionals they employ.

Lawmakers designed the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disability Act to protect people from discrimination based on color, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, family status, or national origin. Also, the Acts require associations to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities.

If your Board of Directors, managers and vendors do not have a firm understanding of Fair Housing laws and how they apply, this can result in legal issues that will cost you significant time and money.

At Zelmanski, Danner & Fioritto, PLLC, our experienced attorneys routinely assist clients with navigating these laws. We have the resources, experience, and knowledge needed to help advise your Board, managers, and vendors, to avoid unnecessary conflict and resolve these issues before they become legal problems.

Consequences of Housing Discrimination

Discriminating against a person is illegal, and if you are held liable, you could face the following penalties:

• Civil penalties starting at $19,000
• Compensatory damages concerning the tenant’s emotional distress and humiliation
• Payment for actual damages to the tenant, including paying the rent that tenant had to pay another housing facility
• Allowing the person who filed discrimination charges against you to rent the particular housing unit denied due to alleged discrimination

In some cases, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in punitive damages. Even if there is a favorable outcome for the association, the cost of defending against a discrimination lawsuit can itself be devastating.   This is why we educate our clients on Fair Housing laws on a continuing basis, so that they can avoid these types of disputes before they arise.

Aggressively Protecting Homeowners Associations

At Zelmanski, Danner & Fioritto, PLLC, we understand the stakes are high and that understanding the legal process regarding discrimination can be frustrating and confusing. We will work to defend and protect your rights and also help your Boards of Directors, managers, and vendors gain an understanding of these issues to avoid future legal matters. Call 734-459-0062 to contact an attorney who can discuss your case.