Individual Liability for Fair Housing Claims?
How do you handle applications for sale or tenancy approval? Who conducts the interview (if your community does interviews)? Who notifies the applicant whether the board has approved or rejected the transaction? What information or criteria is evaluated and how does the board decide whether to approve or reject a transaction?
Is the person that notifies the applicant exposed to liability for the Association's action? A recent ruling in a case pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida reminds us that both Federal and State Fair Housing Laws apply not only to the Association as housing provider, but to individuals involved in the process if they committed or contributed to a discriminatory act.
The screening of prospective owners and renters is a complex and involved process. Although the authority to screen and approve is often granted to an association board in the governing documents, the language is typically vague and general, without specific guidelines instructing the board how to proceed.
In the case mentioned above, the plaintiff applied to the association for approval of two (2) leases. He intended to reside in one of the units and the other unit would house his elderly mother. The condominium prohibited pets but his elderly mother had a doctor's prescription for an emotional support animal, so the plaintiff asked for a reasonable accommodation in the application itself.
The association rejected the application. Its manager sent the applicant notice of denial. The letter indicated that the association would be amenable to revisiting the application for the plaintiff, if it was not bundled with the application for tenancy approval for his mother. The applicant's attorney demanded reconsideration in light of the Fair Housing issues. Nonetheless, the manager informed the applicant, in writing, that the association "reconfirmed the decision to deny the rental", which prompted the lawsuit against the association and the manager, individually.
The association filed a motion to dismiss the individual claim against the manager, after all he was only acting on behalf of the association which is a corporation. The federal Judge denied that motion saying:
"[the manager] wrote the denial letter on behalf of [the association] and the letter reconfirming the denial, both with knowledge that a Fair Housing Act issue had been raised. These allegations are sufficient under the Fair Housing Act case law and under [other cases] to deny the motion to dismiss"
This manager is now facing individual liability for communicating what may be determined to be a discriminatory act. Makes you think twice, right?
owner filed a law suit against the condominium association for discrimination, claiming that the association failed to make a reasonable accommodation. The deaf owner reportedly demanded the association to make arrangements and pay for a sign-language interpreter at meetings, shows or condo activities, so he can participate in those activities.
Association leaders and managers must comply with federal and state anti-discrimination laws. That's a given.
The case against a condo association in Century Village
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Associations, community leaders and managers are often the target of housing discrimination claims. It is against
The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and handicap (disability). Florida State and local ordinances likewise prohibit housing providers, including community associations, from discriminating against anyone protected by the law.
The
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