NMHC to host training on fair housing

The Northern Marianas Housing Corp. will be hosting a two-part seminar on fair housing starting on Dec. 12, 2017, from 9am to 4pm, at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

The training is for homeowners, landlords, property managers, site managers, maintenance personnel, Section 504 coordinators, or anyone interested in fair housing.

Whether you are a property owner, manager, coordinator, or employee who interacts with applicants or tenants, you have to understand fair housing requirements. Fair housing laws permeate every aspect of housing, from the first interaction with an applicant when he or she calls the office until the date the tenant moves out of his or her unit. 

For instance, did you know that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in multiple areas of housing-related transactions, including advertising? Specifically, the Fair Housing Act prohibits publishing advertisements that indicate “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on” the protected categories “with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling.”

Whether you realize it or not, you are likely “advertising” your property in some form or fashion every day because that term includes any verbal or written statement on flyers, brochures, banners, leaflets, signs, posters, deeds, applications, pictures, and even property-based roommate ads. In fact, just about anything staff members say or imply to prospective renters in person, writing, or by phone can be considered advertising. 

What about reasonable accommodation and reasonable modification requests from your tenants? What is a request for accommodation? What can property managers ask for to establish that a tenant actually needs an accommodation? Is every request “reasonable?” Can a tenant have any type of animal as an accommodation?

Come learn about how to address the everyday pitfall in advertising, responding to reasonable accommodations, and much, much more including: 1) how the aging population is going to affect your properties’ accessibility, 2) criminal background checks, 3) preventing housing harassment, and 4) addressing requests for assistance animals, service animals and companion animals.

Registration fee before Nov. 30, 2017, is $40 per person and registration fee after Nov. 30, 2017, is $50 per person. For government agencies and non-profit partners, the registration fee is $25 per person. The fee will cover the two-day training and refreshments. Due to limited seating, contact Doraine Camacho or Jacob Muña at 234-6866/9447/7670 for reservations. (PR)