In our fast-paced, ever-evolving world of property management, the ground beneath our feet and the guidelines we use are constantly shifting. New laws, new expectations, and new social norms mean that what was acceptable yesterday could be a complaint or lawsuit waiting to happen today.
You juggle leases, maintenance, resident complaints, and marketing, all while striving to maintain a thriving, harmonious community. But lurking in the shadows of this complex job are hidden dangers – pitfalls that can lead to devastating legal battles, massive fines, and irreparable damage to your reputation and your property’s bottom line.
This isn’t about the obvious; we all know you can’t discriminate based on race or religion. But what about the nuances? The seemingly innocent policies that, when scrutinized by a Fair Housing attorney, reveal a pattern of discriminatory impact? The seemingly harmless conversation that could be interpreted as a violation? These are the real-world scenarios that blindside even the most seasoned property managers.
Doug Chasick, That Fair Housing Guy™, is the former President of the Fair Housing Institute, Inc. With more than 49 years of investment real estate experience, he began as the Resident Manager of a 524-unit apartment property and has been the President or CEO of five real estate companies, responsible for portfolios of over 28,000 apartments, and more than 8 million square feet of commercial, retail and industrial properties.