Assistance Animals & Fair Housing
Back by popular demand! Join us for a full-day of crucial learning!
What you need to know about ESAs, HUD & FHA
Service animal or support animal? HUD or DOJ? FHA or ADA? Understanding the differences is crucial for compliance and effective property management. In this session, Victoria Cowart, CPM, NAAEI Faculty will provide a comprehensive overview of assistance animals and accommodation requests, covering everything from the foundational basics to the key takeaways from the 2020 HUD Assistance Animal Notice. Designed for both on-site teams and regional managers, this session addresses one of HUD's most frequently cited complaint topics, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate these issues confidently and effectively. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your expertise in a high-impact area!
Fair Housing Essentials - practical explanations of how federal, state, and local protected classes and barred discriminatory acts impact your property operations
In this session, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of Fair Housing laws and the key protected classes, including how these protections have evolved and been interpreted. You’ll learn about landlord actions that are prohibited under Fair Housing laws, such as discrimination based on race, religion, disability, gender identity, and familial status. Attorney Whitney Daly with MGFD Law Firm P.A. will also cover the risks of making “exceptions” for one tenant, which could open the door to claims of discrimination from others.
The session will highlight significant developments in case law, such as gender identity being included under the “sex” protected class, and how the Violence Against Women Act intersects with Fair Housing protections.
You’ll also dive into landlord policies related to familial status, including occupancy limits, community rules, and vehicle restrictions, and learn what constitutes a “disability” under Fair Housing laws. We’ll cover essential rules for providing “reasonable accommodations” and “reasonable modifications,” including whether a disabled tenant can violate lease terms due to their disability or terminate their lease early without penalty.
Additionally, you’ll learn about source of income discrimination, the specific HUD rules for covered housing, and how to avoid common discrimination claims. This session is designed to give you the knowledge and tools to stay compliant with Fair Housing laws and reduce the risk of legal challenges in your work.
This hybrid session is essential for landlords, property managers, and housing professionals seeking to stay compliant and avoid potential legal issues.
Agenda
| July 15 | |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Check-in & Coffee |
| 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Course |
Meet your Co-Presenters
Victoria Cowart, CPM, NAAEI Faculty
Sr. Director Education & Enterprise Sales, PetScreening
Victoria Cowart, CPM, NAAEI Faculty, is the senior director of education and enterprise sales for PetScreening. Previously, she was a direct property management industry member with extensive experience providing management and oversight for a mix of portfolios, including apartment communities, manufactured housing communities, and HOAs. Cowart helped launch the Charleston Apartment Association, served as its president, and then became the president of the South Carolina Apartment Association and an NAA regional vice president. She has chaired four NAA committees, most recently the 2021 Legislative Committee. Cowart was recently inducted into the South Carolina Apartment Association Hall of Fame. She is a passionate advocate for industry education, pets, and assistance animals. Cowart has a degree in the management of human resources and has been certified as an Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Whitney H. Daly, Esq.
Attorney at Law, The MGFD Law Firm, P.A
Whitney Daly has developed a diverse practice representing clients in evictions, fair housing cases, and other various litigation cases. Prior to joining the MGFD Law Firm PA, Whitney represented indigent clients in Southern and Eastern Hillsborough County at Bay Area Legal Services and has more than 9 years of experience in subsidized housing law. Whitney has a strong track record in providing educational presentations to clients and has worked with local apartment associations to present issues relating to subsidized housing and fair housing. Whitney graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University with a B.A. in Spanish and Honors in Music. She received her Juris Doctorate in 2015.
For More Information:
