How to Survive the Fair Housing Tester Visit

Overview:

A significant amount of money is being spent by HUD and distributed in grants to Fair Housing Advocacy groups to ensure compliance with the fair housing act. In other words, look for fair housing compliance testing to increase!

Not only are there more “Secret Fair Housing Shoppers”, but they are also getting better at impersonating a real shopper in both speech and demeanor, making it almost impossible to determine who is a shopper and who is a real customer.

Let’s be clear: while the stated objective of testers is to uncover discriminatory practices, are they completely impartial or do they have an agenda? What are they allowed to say and do? Can entrapment occur? We’ll look at these questions and many more in this fast-paced session - don’t miss it!  

Why you should Attend:

• Ensure awareness of the basic requirements of fair housing compliance
• Understand how your policies and procedures must be created and enforced in order to support compliance
• Review the types of documentation typically requested or required
• Review best practices necessary to minimize the possibility of being named in a fair housing compliant or lawsuit as a result of a tester visit
• Five things to do immediately upon learning a complaint or lawsuit has been filed

Areas Covered in the Session:

• What is a "Tester"
• How will I know I’m being tested?
• What are they looking for?
• What are they allowed to do and say?
• What is does “pattern or practice” mean and what does it have to do with fair housing compliance?
• What is the best way to prepare?
• What documentation do I need?
• Can a test lead to a fair housing complaint?
• What do I do if a complaint is filed?

Who Will Benefit:

• Community Manager/Director
• Leasing Professionals
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Multi-site Manager (Area, Regional)
• Training Professionals