COS Tenant Relations & Leasing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A prospective tenant asks if the property is located in a 'good school district.' How should a leasing professional respond?
- Provide the school district name and suggest they research it independently (Correct answer)
- Confirm the schools are excellent to close the lease
- Decline to discuss schools entirely to avoid fair housing issues
- State that children are not permitted in the unit
Correct answer: Provide the school district name and suggest they research it independently
Steering applicants based on school quality can violate Fair Housing Act protections related to familial status, so staff should provide neutral facts and direct prospects to their own research.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a lease renewal notice sent 60 days before expiration?
- To give the tenant adequate time to decide whether to renew or vacate (Correct answer)
- To satisfy HUD's annual inspection requirement
- To initiate an eviction if the tenant does not respond
- To automatically convert the tenancy to month-to-month
Correct answer: To give the tenant adequate time to decide whether to renew or vacate
Advance renewal notices allow tenants sufficient time to make housing decisions while giving management time to plan for potential vacancies.
Question 3: Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following questions is permissible during the tenant application process?
- How many people will be living in the unit? (Correct answer)
- What country are you originally from?
- Do you attend religious services?
- Are you married?
Correct answer: How many people will be living in the unit?
Asking the number of occupants is permissible to apply occupancy standards; questions about national origin, religion, or marital status could constitute unlawful discrimination.
Question 4: A tenant complains verbally about a noisy neighbor at 10 PM. What is the best immediate action for management?
- Log the complaint, investigate promptly, and follow up with the tenant (Correct answer)
- Dismiss the complaint since it is after business hours
- Immediately issue a lease violation notice to the accused neighbor
- Tell the complaining tenant to contact local police directly
Correct answer: Log the complaint, investigate promptly, and follow up with the tenant
Documenting and investigating complaints promptly demonstrates good faith management and helps protect the property from liability.
Question 5: Which document formally outlines all move-in fees, deposits, and payment schedules for a new tenant?
- Move-in cost sheet or lease addendum (Correct answer)
- Certificate of occupancy
- HUD-1 settlement statement
- Affirmative fair housing marketing plan
Correct answer: Move-in cost sheet or lease addendum
A move-in cost sheet or addendum itemizes every financial obligation so the tenant understands charges before signing.
Question 6: A tenant's lease includes a 'no-pet' clause but the tenant has a service animal. What must management do?
- Allow the service animal as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act (Correct answer)
- Enforce the no-pet clause because it is written in the lease
- Charge a pet deposit for the service animal
- Require the tenant to obtain liability insurance for the animal
Correct answer: Allow the service animal as a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act
Service animals are not considered pets under fair housing and disability law, so no-pet clauses do not apply to them.
Question 7: When a tenant gives written notice to vacate 30 days before lease end, what should management do first?
- Acknowledge the notice in writing and schedule a move-out inspection date (Correct answer)
- Begin eviction proceedings for early termination
- Immediately re-key the unit and post a vacancy listing
- Retain the security deposit in full as a termination fee
Correct answer: Acknowledge the notice in writing and schedule a move-out inspection date
Acknowledging the notice in writing and scheduling an inspection sets expectations and protects both parties regarding the security deposit process.
COS Tenant Relations & Leasing 2
A prospective tenant asks if the property is located in a 'good school district.' How should a leasing professional respond?