Portland City Council Approves Controversial Tenant Screening Ordinance 3-1
The Portland City Council has approved a controversial tenant screening ordinance by a vote of 3-1, with one council member and former landlord dissenting from the group saying the ordinance will drive up housing...
Housing Authority Settles For $1 Million With Tenants Over Emotional Support Animals
A Colorado housing authority accused of violating the federal rights of tenants with disabilities by charging a fee for emotional support animals has settled a lawsuit for nearly $1 million.
The lawsuit was recently settled...
Colorado Governor Signs New Bed Bug Law For Landlords And Tenants
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has signed HB19-1328, a new bed bug law which requires a tenant to promptly notify the landlord via written or electronic notice when the tenant knows or reasonably suspects that...
Justice Department Sues California Landlord for Trading Sex for Rent Discounts
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed suit against the owner and manager of rental properties in the San Diego area who is alleged to have been sexually harassing female tenants and trading sex...
How A No Pet Policy Can Be Discriminatory
The Grace Hill training tip of focuses on the issue of how a no pet policy can be discriminatory when it involves potential tenants with disabilities.
By Ellen Clark
Landlord and property managers must make reasonable accommodations...
The LGBT Community, Sex Discrimination And Fair Housing
Discrimination based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes is covered by the Fair Housing Act, so this week the Grace Hill training tip takes a look at the LGBT community and Fair Housing.
By Ellen Clark
In recent years,...
California Rent Control: Lawmakers Have Not Learned Their Lesson
By Ethan Blevins
Pacific Legal Foundation
Economist Thomas Sowell once quipped, “The first lesson of economics is scarcity” and “the first lesson of politics is to disregard the first lesson of economics.”
With California’s recent flirtation with statewide...
7 Ways To Stay Out Of Trouble When Checking Criminal History
When you are reviewing your screening policies to avoid any discriminatory effects, especially criminal history, be sure to avoid your gut feelings. The Grace Hill training tip of the week focuses on tenant screening and the right...
Are You Confused By Requests For Service, Emotional Support And Assistance Animals?
Consider the scenario where a prospective resident who is blind makes an accommodation request for her service dog or assistance animal to live in her apartment, even though your property doesn’t allow pets. Are...
What Do You Do When Assistance Animals Break The Rules?
“I didn’t know” is not an acceptable defense if you face a discrimination charge, so the Grace Hill training tip of the week focuses on assistance animals and rules for them in your apartments.
By Ellen Clark
An accommodation...