COS Fair Housing & Civil Rights Requirements 5

Question 1

A manager requires a credit score of 700 for all applicants. Studies show this policy rejects a disproportionately high percentage of African American applicants. This may constitute:

Accepted Answer

Disparate impact discrimination based on race

Answer

A neutral screening criterion that disproportionately screens out members of a protected class without business necessity may constitute disparate impact discrimination.

Question 2

Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), a survivor of domestic violence who is a tenant may NOT be evicted solely based on:

Accepted Answer

Criminal activity directly related to the domestic violence they suffered

Answer

VAWA prohibits eviction or denial of housing assistance solely based on the fact that the tenant is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a 'reasonable modification' under the Fair Housing Act?

Accepted Answer

Installing grab bars in the bathroom of a tenant with a mobility impairment

Answer

Installing grab bars is a physical change to the unit that enables a person with a disability to use it fully, which is the definition of a reasonable modification.

Question 4

A property manager learns that a prospective tenant's former landlord filed an eviction that was later dismissed. Using this information to deny the applicant may raise fair housing concerns if:

Accepted Answer

Eviction filing data disproportionately impacts a protected class in that jurisdiction

Answer

HUD guidance warns that using eviction filing records (even dismissed ones) can create disparate impact liability if the data disproportionately screens out protected classes.

Question 5

An emotional support animal (ESA) differs from a service animal primarily because:

Accepted Answer

ESAs provide emotional or psychiatric support and do not require specialized task training

Answer

Unlike ADA service animals, ESAs provide emotional support through companionship and do not need specific disability-related task training; they are covered under fair housing reasonable accommodation.

(COS) Certified Occupancy Specialist Practice Test

(COS) Certified Occupancy Specialist Practice Test

COS Fair Housing & Civil Rights Requirements 5