AApril is just around the corner, and with it comes our industry wide recognition of "Fair Housing Month." It is our annual reminder to evaluate our business practice, and make sure we are not only following the rules and bylaws of our Association, but also making sure we are practicing within the municipal and state laws that regulate our industry. Please take a moment to quiz yourself on some of the issues, and determine whether it is time to reacquaint yourself with some of the basic issues of fairness. 

True of False?

1. Under federal law, it is legal for an apartment building owner to assign families with younger children to one particular building?

2. An apartment building owner has the right to reject an applicant because of poor housekeeping habits.

3. Not allowing the construction of a wheelchair ramp on the apartment building owner's property is permissible, even if the tenant agrees to remove it at his/her own expense upon leaving.

4. Under federal law, indicating a preference based on religion in advertising an available apartment is perfectly legal.

5. An apartment building owner may legally reject an applicant with a history of mental illness, though he/she is not a danger to others.

6. A rental application may be rejected by the landlord because of the applicant's religion.

7. When using a real estate agent, a family may sell their house only to a white buyer.

8. A real estate agent is allowed to limit a home search to certain neighborhoods based on the client's race/ethnicity.

9. A loan officer may turn down a Black applicant because of the applicant's lack of steady job and income.

10. It is legal for a loan officer to require higher down payments from Hispanic families in order to get a mortgage.

Answer Key:

1. False  2. True  3. False  4. False  5. False  6. False  7. False  8. False  9. True  10. False

Quiz Provided by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association.