Rental Housing Journal On-Site
January 2018
3. Supporting Possible Reforms in WA Service Animal Law
5. HUD Charges Landlord With Discrimination Over Veteran's Emotional Support Dog
8. Dear Maintenance Men
4. 8 Ways the Rental Housing Market Changed in 2017
6. Landlords Missing Rent Payments Online After Company Bankruptcy
12. Pet-Friendly Rentals
7. Are Your Social Media Posts Compliant With Fair Housing Laws?
9. New Years Resolution 15. Can I Say "No Pot In My Apartments" When It's Legal In My State?
www.rentalhousingjournal.com • Professional Publishing, Inc 17,000 Papers Mailed Monthly To Puget Sound Apartment Owners, Property Managers & Maintenance Personnel Published in association with Washington Association, IREM & Washington Multifamily Housing Association
The Scoop On How Pet DNA Testing Fixes Your Apartment Poop Problem
Rents Unchanged in December But Still Up 2.5% Year-Over-Year
T
he average multifamily rent in the U.S. stood at $1,359 in December, unchanged from November but a 2.5% year-over-year increase for rents, according to a survey of 121 markets by Yardi Matrix. Strong demand, the economy’s solid footing and a robust job market offer encouraging signs that growth will continue in 2018. Rents were down 0.3% in the fourth quarter, which is only the second negative quarter of growth nationally since the second quarter of 2010 (rents also fell 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2016). continued on page 22
By John Triplett
P
ets are a way of life in rental housing and if you want your rentals fully leased, pet owners are a key tenant demographic you want to keep. Look just at Millennials: 76 percent are pet owners and a majority are renters. You might have laughed at first at this headline on how pet DNA testing could fix your apartment property’s pet poop problem. But here is the reality. Your tenants may be leaving pet poop lying around for you and your maintenance crew to pick up, creating extra work and cost.
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How Apartment Rules to Protect Children Could Be Discrimination By Ellen Clark
N
ormally, when you think of familial status discrimination, you likely think of things like refusing to rent to families with children, charging families with young children higher deposits, or steering them to certain buildings. But what about rules or policies that are intended to protect children? Could these be discriminatory? A story from a condominium complex in Fremont, California brings to light the issue around policies or rules that are intended to protect children, but actually could subject the property management to discrimination charges.
A condominium complex had a longstanding rule that tenants’ children could not run and play outside within the complex gates. The rule was set up by the homeowners’ association, citing safety concerns, and threatened to fine residents for violations. One of the residents claimed that she and her children were subjected to threats, intimidation, and harassment. A housing nonprofit called Project Sentinel brought a class action lawsuit pro bono and recovered $800,000 from the condo managers. Additionally, board members of the homeowners’ association must undergo fair housing training and post signs indicating that children are allowed to play outside.
Excluding children from areas other residents can use could be discrimination This news item reminds us that excluding children from areas that other residents can use could be considered discrimination—even if the intent of the exclusion is to protect them. Here are some tips for working with families with children in a way that complies with fair housing law. When working with prospective residents, it is ok to ask about the number of people who will live in the apartment home, but do not ask questions specifically relating to children. continued on page 23