Staying Compliant With Riverside, California's Fair Housing Laws

Fair Housing Laws are one of the most important guidelines when renting your home. The risk of breaking these guidelines can be lawsuits, massive fines, or even property loss. You are about to read a guide to help you stay compliant with the Fair Housing Administration and avoid common mistakes to protect your most important asset. The blog will cover the basic rules of the FHA, common violations, how to stay compliant, and what to do if you want to be fully protected. 

What Are Fair Housing Laws?:

The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 prevents discrimination during the: 

• Sale of Homes 

• Rental of Homes

• Financing of Homes 

Fair Housing protects you from discrimination based on these key metrics: 

• Race

• Age

• Gender

• Religion

• National Origin

• Marital Status

• Familial Status

• Disability

• Source of Income 

This means you have to be careful when selling your home or renting it out. You can not under any circumstances say or do anything that might violate these laws due to the law itself and its moral implications. Typical instances of this law applying to landlords would be when they are trying to rent their home out and are screening potential applicants. According to the FHA, you are not allowed to discriminate against anyone of the previously listed.

Examples of Discrimination Look Like: 

• Changing a rental lease due to the tenant's race or religion. 

• Denying an applicant due to their source of income or their disability. 

Common Fair Housing Violations Accidental Landlords Must Avoid:

Many landlords without experience have unknowingly violated the Fair Housing Laws, such as refusing to rent to someone based on specific criteria or using inconsistent screening procedures. The most common violations that I see would be: 

• Discriminatory Language in Ads 

• Failure to Accommodate Disabilities 

• Inconsistent Tenant Screening 

To fully comply with Fair Housing, you must ensure that your tenant screening process is set in stone and consistent. 

How to Stay Compliant with Fair Housing Laws:

Compliance with the Fair Housing Administration is manageable if landlords follow consistent practices. Landlords who educate themselves and keep accurate records can avoid legal trouble. If you don't have much experience leasing property, one of the biggest tips I can give you is to ensure you keep your receipts! Keeping a consistent tenant screening process, written documentation, and making reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants will help you stay out of court for as long as possible. However, not all of this is enough; to remain fully compliant, you must keep educating yourself on the FHA and Riverside & California's regulations. 

California's Fair Housing Laws:

Fair Housing Laws can vary from state to state, with some adding additional protected categories. California, for example, is one of those states. You are not allowed to discriminate against immigration status, source of income, or gender identity or expression. California, in general, is a very tenant-friendly state, so you have to be extremely careful about how you word your rental ad or your lease itself. 

It is also important to note that local housing authorities can add additional protections for specific groups, which means that it is essential for landlords to check their local Fair Housing Laws to stay updated and compliant. Riverside County keeps the same Fair Housing Laws as the state of California, but the "Source of Income" protection may be enforced heavily due to its more significant focus in Riverside County. 

Penalties for Violating Fair Housing Laws:

Some incredibly steep penalties for violating Fair Housing Laws include hefty fines, lawsuits, and forced property sales. Not staying compliant with the FHA can be highly costly for landlords, especially if they are given a lawsuit. There is a potential for landlords to lose thousands upon thousands if they do not stay compliant with the Fair Housing Administration. 

When to Consider Hiring a Property Management Company:

Staying compliant with the Fair Housing Laws can be overwhelming for newer landlords. This is entirely understandable. If you want help, I recommend having a professional property management company lease the rental property. You will have less liability, and the company will undoubtedly be better at renting the property. Property Management Companies will screen the tenants for you, document the entire process, provide reasonable accommodations, and recommend how to stay compliant during the tenancy. 

If you or someone you know would be interested in getting your property professionally managed, click here to see if we can help you open the door to a better life. 

Conclusion:

Staying compliant with the Fair Housing Rules & Regulations requires consistency, education, and, most importantly, documentation. Landlords who don't have the time or energy for this should consider hiring a professional. Failure to comply with Fair Housing Laws could end in the sale of your property or even a potential lawsuit.