The moment a property manager issues a denial letter, the professional relationship enters a high-stakes phase. While automated screening tools provide a necessary first layer of defense, they often lack the nuance required by modern fair housing standards. The core conflict lies in the tension between a property’s need for uniform safety standards and the…
Most housing providers are familiar with the FICO® credit score, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. It has long been the standard tool for evaluating an applicant’s creditworthiness. However, newer scoring models do exist, such as AOA’s TenantRisk Score from TransUnion. These newer credit scoring models are gaining traction, particularly as screening priorities shift and costs…
In property management, it’s tempting to lean on zero-tolerance screening policies. They’re fast, efficient, and feel like a safe bet against discrimination claims. But relying solely on an algorithm creates a real problem. When we prioritize a rigid “yes or no” over an actual conversation, we aren’t just being efficient – we’re often creating a…
In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiated internal directive initiatives to review existing fair housing regulations, instructing staff to prioritize cases involving intentional discrimination while scaling back prior guidance related to disparate impact enforcement. Although these changes have not fully been implemented–and any formal repeal or replacement would require…
Most housing providers are familiar with the FICO® credit score, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. It has long been the standard tool for evaluating an applicant’s creditworthiness. However, newer scoring models do exist, such as AOA’s TenantRisk Score from TransUnion. These newer credit scoring models are gaining traction, particularly as screening priorities shift and costs…
Dear Councilmember [Last Name]: Greetings. I strongly oppose the “Fair Chance Housing Policy” that has been proposed by the BRD. These “renter protection measures” are the opposite of what they are advertised to be! It would compromise all innocent renters, especially the weak and elderly. Below are some points you may want to consider. Regarding…
Recently, and strictly out of curiosity, I went online to a web site called www.supportpets.com to see how difficult or easy it was to obtain a document to qualify my cat, Oliver, as an emotional support animal (ESA). Once I entered in my personal information, including my email address, I was presented with a series…
As most of you are aware, in 2016, HUD released guidance for all housing providers regarding how the use of criminal background checks could potentially violate fair housing laws. The guidance outlines how using criminal background screening to deny housing can create a disparate impact (discriminatory effect) based on race due to the higher incarceration…
One of the first cases in the United States to challenge a landlord’s blanket ban on renting to people with criminal records as discriminatory, has resulted in a settlement for the plaintiff of more than a million dollars. The plaintiff in that case, The Fortune Society (“Fortune”), is a non-profit organization that provides housing and…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Statement from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) on the release of new emotional support animal guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: NMHC and NAA are pleased that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released new guidance clarifying the responsibilities…