Fair Housing Advertising is essential to business but here is how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to violations for your rental housing business.
Advertising is an essential part of day-to-day business for the housing industry. But is your advertising fair-housing compliant? How can you avoid common mistakes that lead to violations? In this article, we will discuss the do’s and don’ts when it comes to fair housing and advertising.
Different Types of Media
There are many forms of advertising media available today. The law says you can’t “make, print, or publish. . . any notice, statement, or advertisement . . . that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a person’s race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.” So as you can see, the law is very broad and covers a range of media like flyers, brochures, deeds, signs, banners, posters, billboards, and even pictures in your office.
The law also covers what we say about a property, whether over the phone or in person. Expressing an illegal preference or limitation to one of your fellow agents, brokers, employees, prospective sellers, renters, or any other person in connection with the sale or rental of your property is illegal.
Photos and Decorations
Our rental offices are usually the first thing a prospect sees. We all like to showcase different amenities with eye-catching photos of residents enjoying them. But do your pictures show only people of the same race or perhaps the same age group? This can give the impression that your property only leases to people of a certain age and race, which is considered illegal advertising and is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
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