Statewide Virtual Meeting Tues May 18: Fair Housing Act, Avoid Fines

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This presentation will give an overview of the federal Fair Housing Act. First passed in April 1968 and since amended, the Titles VIII through IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 are commonly known as the Fair Housing Act. This landmark US law prohibits discrimination during the sale, rental, and financing of housing because of someone's membership in a protected class.

We will review the federal protected classes and describe how Massachusetts law builds on and expands these protected classes. We will look at behaviors landlords may engage in that would put us at risk of violating the Fair Housing Act, including:

  • Declining rental applications without business justification,
  • Ghosting,
  • Steering, and
  • Disparate impact.

In Massachusetts, the Fair Housing Act is enforced by testers looking for discriminatory actions, whether intentional or unintentional. The fine for the first offense is $10,000 and increases for subsequent offenses.

Attendees will leave knowing how to comply with the Fair Housing Act, which aspects of their rental operations may need to be revised, and how to ensure equal housing opportunity for all.

picture of children of different races holding hands under the equal housing opportunity housing with equal sign logo
The Fair Housing Act is not just a Good Idea, it's the Law
picture of
Attorney Carl Lindley

Part of this event will be presented by Attorney Carl W. Lindley, Jr. Attorney Lindley is a partner at Farber and Lindley, LLC. He has been practicing law in Massachusetts for 14 years and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court and United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Attorney Lindley has effectively represented litigants in the District and Superior Courts of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court as well as the Juvenile and Housing Court systems. Additionally, he has practiced before many administrative agencies and boards, including the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Massachusetts Fire Safety Commission and Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board, among others. Attorney Lindley’s practice focuses on civil litigation, including prosecuting and defending serious personal injury, wrongful death, automobile accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bite cases and professional malpractice claims. Additionally, Attorney Lindley has successfully handled business and landlord-tenant litigation, including housing discrimination, reasonable accommodation issues, lead paint litigation, summary process actions, warranty of habitability and quiet enjoyment claims, lease violations, security deposit claims and class action litigation. He is widely recognized for knowing his stuff: Board of Bar Overseers Pro Bono Panel of Attorneys for 2018 and 2019; named by Super Lawyers as a rising star 2013 through 2015; Chairman of the Board of Directors for Oakham New Braintree Baseball Inc. He teaches a course at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, MA entitled "Landlord Tenant Law – How to be a Smart Landlord". Attorney Lindley is also a landlord in Worcester County, a licensed real estate broker and licensed to complete moderate risk de-leading on his own properties.

Erin Zamarro of A.A. Zamarro Realty will moderate networking time.
You can volunteer for a future event.

Networking time for this event will be moderated by Erin Zamarro. Erin lives and works in Worcester. Erin is a real estate broker at A.A. Zamarro Realty, an independent brokerage which has operated in the Worcester residential and commercial real estate markets for over 50 years. Our office frequently works with buyers and sellers of investment property. Erin is a Certified Massachusetts Landlord™ as well as a member of the National Association of Realtors. Erin received a B.A. from Holy Cross and an M.B.A with a concentration in Marketing from Clark University.

 

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MassLandlords offers attendees of directly managed events a "No Sales Pitch" guarantee. If a guest speaker offers services, their presentation will not discuss pricing, promotions, or reasons why you should hire them. We do not permit speakers to pay for or sponsor events. Guest speakers are chosen for their expertise and willingness to present helpful educational content. Your purchase of an event ticket sustains our nonprofit model.

Open to attendees statewide

This event is regionally branded in keeping with a local tradition. This region used to meet in-person on this day at this time. You are welcome to participate in this virtual meeting no matter where you are in the state.

Tuesday, May 18th

Cambridge & Statewide Virtual Meeting Agenda

  • 5:00pm Sign-in and virtual networking: you can chit chat with others as people log in
  • 5:40pm Business Update
  • 6:00pm Fair Housing Act
  • 7:00pm Virtual meeting ends

Participation is Easy

As a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, our events have been replaced by webinars or virtual meetings held during the traditional event time for each former location:

  • Virtual meetings include optional audience participation via video, phone, and screenshare and are not recorded.
  • Webinars have limited participation options (typed questions only) and are recorded.

Our virtual registration desk is open for all events one hour starting 30 minutes prior to the event start time. Call 774-314-1896 or email hello@masslandlords.net for live, real-time help signing in and using your technology.

If joining a virtual meeting, please use the zoom "test audio" feature. You will be allowed to talk to others if your microphone is good and there is no background noise. We reserve the right to mute anyone for any reason. Attendees without a microphone or who don't want to be heard can type questions.

Virtual Meeting Details (hosted by Zoom)

We will share our video, audio, and computer screen and slides.

  • Optional: You can share your video with everyone, talk to everyone, and type chat with everyone. Video sharing is not required. Talking is not required.

Password will be emailed and viewable online.

Topic: Virtual Meeting May 18, 2021 Time: May 18, 2021 05:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82757373100 Meeting ID: 827 5737 3100 Passcode: Will be emailed and viewable online Dial by your location +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 827 5737 3100 Passcode: Will be emailed and viewable online Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbMEsM1lUS

Pricing

Open to the public. Membership is not required!

  • Contemporaneous participation:
    • Public: $10
    • Members: $7
    • Premium Members: No charge and no need to register. Click here for meeting details and password.

This event will not be recorded. Any slides or handouts will be posted at "Discrimination"

 

Click here to purchase tickets for this event

This event is operated by MassLandlords staff.

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This is part of the Boston/Cambridge rental real estate networking and training series.

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One Response to Statewide Virtual Meeting Tues May 18: Fair Housing Act, Avoid Fines

  1. Chris E says:

    Hi Guys,
    Are there any plans to do another RAFT seminar for those of us who missed it and any updates on the topic?
    Chris

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