Fair housing is the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. As a landlord or property manager, you must treat people equally and make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Federal fair housing laws protect people from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex/gender, religion, handicap/disability and family status. In addition, different districts have supplementary protected classes. It is important to know the four fundamentals of fair housing. Discrimination can be subtle. You might not even be aware of your actions. Our landlord representation attorneys can help property owners and landlords navigate through all fair housing laws.
Our attorneys offer training for owners and property managers on Fair Housing Act (FHA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state and local fair housing and public accommodation laws. In addition we offer training for owners, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, and other design professionals on the accessibility requirements FHA, 504, ADA, and state and local fair housing and public accommodation laws.
We assist with reviewing and responding to reasonable accommodations and modifications and offer consulting and program implementation services to housing providers seeking to develop or implement fair housing programs. Offit Kurman landlord representation attorneys draft policies and procedures to protect housing providers from discrimination claims. We offer independent investigation of complaints of unlawful housing discrimination and monitor and examine advertising and housing rental/sales practices to measure levels of legal compliance and address problems. Our attorneys represent landlords in discrimination suits brought before administrative agencies and state and federal court.
Expert Witness/Litigation Review Consultant
We work with individuals, developers, owners, property management companies, nonprofit associations, real estate agents, architects, engineers, and attorneys to provide litigation and expert witness services for all housing-related discrimination claims, including FHA, 504, ADA, as well as state and local law related litigation. Our services include:
- Reviewing and analyzing case files and investigatory submissions, including correspondence, leasing data, application and credit/criminal screening records, and related documents;
- Reviewing and analyzing accommodation requests (including service and ESA animals);
- Preparing detailed case summaries and reports;
- Advice and consultation on settlement offers and proposals; attending pre-trial conferences, depositions, and hearings/trials; and
- Providing trial testimony for both plaintiff and defense positions.
