Property Management Legal Toolkit: Fair Housing, Evictions, and the Latest on Disparate Impact

Session 1 - How To Handle Squatters? Legal Actions & Eviction Procedures For Property Managers & Owners

Pre-recorded Webinar (Instant Access)

Duration - 60 minutes

Speaker - Doug Chasick

As property occupancy challenges become increasingly prevalent, it is imperative for property stakeholders to understand their rights, responsibilities, and legal options when faced with squatters. This webinar will provide a deep dive into the legal framework surrounding squatter rights, eviction procedures, and property protections.

You’ll gain insights into identifying early warning signs of potential squatter activity, implementing proactive measures to prevent squatting, and effectively managing squatter incidents if they arise. You’ll learn about the various tactics squatters may employ, as well as best practices for swiftly and legally regaining control of their properties.

This webinar will offer valuable guidance on navigating the often complex and emotionally charged process of dealing with squatters. From understanding the nuances of adverse possession laws to leveraging eviction procedures effectively, you’ll will leave with a clearer understanding of your rights and obligations under both landlord/tenant and fair housing law.

We’ll provide you with knowledge and tools needed to confidently navigate squatter situations and protect your property interests. Join us for this important session and safeguard your property against the challenges increasingly posed by squatters.

Webinar Objectives

• Understand the legal rights and protections afforded to squatters under relevant laws and regulations.
• Identify early warning signs of potential squatter activity and implement proactive measures to prevent squatting.
• Learn about the various tactics squatters may use to gain occupancy and how to effectively counteract them.
• Gain insight into the eviction procedures specific to dealing with squatters, including documentation requirements and legal timelines.
• Explore negotiation tactics and alternative dispute resolution methods for resolving squatter incidents peacefully and efficiently.
• Understand the risks and consequences associated with illegal eviction attempts and how to avoid them.
• Learn about property security measures and risk mitigation strategies to prevent future squatting incidents.
• Gain practical knowledge on how to navigate the emotional and logistical challenges of dealing with squatters.
• Understand the nuances of adverse possession laws and how they may impact property ownership rights.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of your rights and obligations as a property owner or manager when faced with squatter situations

Webinar Highlights

• Squatter rights and legal protections
• Early detection and prevention strategies
• Legal eviction procedures and documentation requirements
• Negotiation tactics and alternative dispute resolution methods
• Property security measures and risk mitigation strategies
• Squatter or trespasser – what’s the difference and does it matter?
• Fair housing considerations when dealing with a squatter situation

Session 2 - Fair Housing Compliance Basics for Collections and Evictions

Pre-recorded Webinar (Instant Access)

Duration - 60 minutes

Speaker - Doug Chasick

This fast-paced 60-minute session is designed to equip Multifamily Professionals with the knowledge necessary to maintain fair housing compliance concerning collections and evictions. In today's dynamic and litigious environment, ensuring adherence to fair housing laws is essential to minimize the possibility of being named in a fair housing compliant or federal lawsuit.

We’ll start with a brief review of the fundamental principles of fair housing compliance and examine how to avoid discriminatory policies and practices, especially those that could be considered as having a disparate impact on certain protected classes. We’ll explore typical state and local statutes about notice language and periods as well as what constitutes lawful delivery of notices.

Since effective and compliant communication and documentation are an important component of all fair housing compliance programs, we’ll review what elements are necessary and what to avoid when communicating about collections and consequences.

Whether you're a seasoned property manager or new to the field, this webinar will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your fair housing compliance efforts. Don't miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills and safeguard your property against potential legal challenges.

Webinar Objectives

• An overview of the Fair Housing Act’s key provisions related to collections and evictions, including prohibited discrimination practices.
• Identify common discriminatory practices in collections and evictions and how to avoid them.
• Examine the concept of disparate impact and its implications for fair housing compliance and the strategies for implementing fair and effective rent collection policies.
• How to address late payments, stipulations, payment plans, and communication tactics while respecting tenants' rights.
• How to navigate the eviction process while adhering to fair housing laws and regulations.
• Understanding eviction notices, legal proceedings, and documentation requirements.
• Managing requests for accommodations related to collections or eviction proceedings,  while ensuring compliance with fair housing requirements when accommodating tenants with disabilities.

Webinar Highlights

• Overview of Fair Housing Laws: An in-depth examination of the Fair Housing Act and its implications for collections and evictions in the apartment sector.
• Prohibited Practices: Understanding discrimination prohibited by fair housing laws and how they relate to collections and evictions.
• Disparate Impact: Identify and change policies that may create an unintentional discriminatory effect on certain protected classes.
• Best Practices for Collections: Strategies for handling rent collection processes in a manner consistent with fair housing principles.
• Eviction Procedures: Guidelines for conducting evictions in compliance with fair housing regulations, including necessary documentation and procedural requirements.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Addressing requests for accommodations or modifications related to collections or eviction proceedings.

Session 3 - Recent Developments in Disparate Impact Regarding Background Checks

Pre-recorded Webinar (Instant Access)

Duration - 60 minutes

Speaker - Doug Chasick

If you’ve been in the multifamily business for a while, you’ve no doubt heard this mantra when you attended your annual fair housing refresher course: “Treat everyone the same, treat everyone the SAME, treat EVERYONE the SAME!” While it was never good advice, with the current focus on Disparate Impact, it is now dangerous advice and the express lane to a fair housing complaint or lawsuit.

No longer are neutral policies automatically safe, and no longer can we deny occupancy to anyone with a felony conviction, or, in many areas, even check their background at all. The list of policies and practices affected by the application of Disparate Impact Theory continues to grow and as is the case with any compliance issues, ignorance is no excuse.

Join us as we focus on current industry best practices and what HUD is suggesting as guidance regarding criminal background checks. We’ll review the basics of disparate impact theory including the three-step burden shifting process, types of offenses, look-back periods and what is on the horizon for compliance.

Webinar Objectives

• What exactly is Disparate Impact and how does it affect compliance efforts?
• Review most recent fair housing guidance issued by HUD and DOJ.
• Explore the three-step burden shifting process.
• What offenses are considered grounds for denial?
• What is a look-back period and how to determine what is compliant.
• Learn how to strike a balance between risk mitigation and fair housing practices.
• How to communicate in a fair housing compliant manner.
• The very thin line between disrespect and discrimination.
• How to manage the interactive process.

Webinar Highlights

• Types of discrimination
• Difference between the two types of discrimination
• Why “treat everyone the same” is a fast track to a disparate impact complaint.
• How disparate impact affects background checks, which protected classes may experience discrimination and why.
• The three-step process HUD uses when discrimination due to disparate impact is alleged to have occurred.
• Suggestions for offenses that are grounds for denial and look-back periods.
• How to train for fair housing compliance with regard to discrimination due to disparate impact.

Who Should Attend

Property Managers, Regional/Area Managers, Community Managers, Service Managers/Supervisors, Training and HR Professionals, On-site and multi-site personnel including Regional/Area Managers, Community Managers, All on-site and multi-site personnel including Regional/Area Managers, Community Managers, Leasing Managers