Episodes

What happens when an employee requests a service animal in employer-provided housing? Jonathan Saar and fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker examine an ongoing case out of the District of Utah. Discover how employer-provided housing can trigger both ADA employment provisions and Fair Housing Act reasonable accommodation requirements, why formal "magic words" aren't necessary for an accommodation request, and how management's response can create severe retaliation risk. Learn critical operational ...

We heard our community and are back to take a deep dive into the interactive process. How long should a reasonable accommodation request really take? What happens when communication stalls out, or a resident rejects your proposed solutions? Learn the key differences between a standard acknowledgment and a substantive response, how to handle vague medical verifications without triggering a fair housing complaint, and what to do when a resident stops responding altogether.Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro...

In this episode of Fair Housing Insiders, host Michael Coughlin, Vice President of the Fair Housing Institute, is joined by fair housing attorney and national speaker Leslie Tucker. Together, they explore the five critical policies and procedures that property management companies must examine and update as they prepare for 2027. Learn practical strategies to recognize hidden risks, ensure legal compliance, and protect your organization from potential fair housing violations. Timestamps: 00:00 -...

What happens when a single leasing inquiry is answered incorrectly across multiple properties and creates a complinace risk? In this episode of Case Files, Jonathan Saar and fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker examine 114 allegations of source-of-income discrimination involving housing choice vouchers (Section 8). Learn why relying on a uniform national policy can trigger fair housing liability, how improper income calculations lead to complaints, and why quality control testing and training ver...

The holiday season is just around the corner, and this is when small property management decisions can create massive fair housing liabilities. In this episode of Fair Housing Insiders, host Michael Coughlin and fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker dive deep into the top 3 holiday mistakes housing providers make and provide clear, compliant solutions to protect your community. From holiday decorations and inclusive common area events to managing guest requests and disability-related accommodation...

What does it take for a court to permanently ban someone from the rental housing industry? In Episode #71 of Case Files, fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker breaks down a sweeping Virginia fair housing settlement against landlord Merriman. Beyond a $2.25M civil penalty, the decree requires forced property sales, the dismissal of over $3.3M in tenant judgments, and a lifetime prohibition from working as a landlord in Virginia. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The Consequences Beyond Financial Pe...

Can property management professionals be personally named in a fair housing complaint? What exactly is their personal liability? In this episode of Fair Housing Insiders, the critical topic of personal liability under the Fair Housing Act is explored. Learn why simply following instructions from a supervisor or owner may not protect individuals from legal consequences, and discover practical strategies to manage compliance risks effectively in daily operations. Timestamps & Show Highlights: • 00...

What happens when a simple reasonable accommodations request for a ground-floor apartment turns into a historic $750,000 settlement? In this episode of Case Files, Jonathan Saar and fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker break down the landmark case of United States v. Indian Oaks Apartments. Discover how a verbal request triggers strict legal requirements under the Fair Housing Act, why site-level delays can legally count as a denial, and what your property management team must do to stay complian...

Disability claims account for over half of all annual fair housing complaints, and many involve non-visible conditions. In this episode of Fair Housing Insiders, host Michael Coughlin welcomes fair housing attorney Leslie Tucker to discuss invisible disabilities and how unconscious bias can put housing providers at risk. Key topics covered in this episode: What constitutes an invisible disability under the Fair Housing Act Why relying on a "visual test" creates significant legal liability How to...

Does a certificate of occupancy guarantee Fair Housing compliance? In this episode of Case Files, we analyze a federal case highlighting widespread accessibility allegations against developers, owners, management companies, and even the architects. From mailbox heights to inaccessible amenity routes, we break down why design failures are a shared liability and how every participant in the building process must ensure compliance. Timestamps & Highlights: 00:00 - Case Review 01:35 - Fair Housing A...