Discounts

[Jeanie]

Chrissy,
According to the Fair Housing is it illegal to give a Senior Discount?

Thanks!
Jeanie

[Chrissy]

In accordance with the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, it is legal to allow a person who has reached a certain age (you determine the age of seniority - 50 or 55 or 50, etc.) to receive a discount on rent - as long as you would continue to allow them to have that same discount if they were a family. For example, if granadparents who lived in your community qualified for the discount, and received it, then received custody of their grandchildren for some reason, you must conitnue to allow them to receive the senior discount. The determining criteria must be age (not a protected class) not familial status (a protected class).

Because of the confusion that inherently surrounds this type of offering, it is becoming more and more common to offer a discount based solely on something other than age - which would not then carry the "perception" of discrimination. Usually, it is then based on a needs program. Called 'owner's concessions,' or 'rental subsidy' it is then offered to all residents who fall below certain minimum criteria that you set and administer in a constant fashion.

More information on Fair Housing is available to you by participating in the Accredited Community Manager (ACM) course 101, where we discuss four federal laws that impact the management of a communinty. Or, by attending one of the full-day Fair Housing training sessions I routinely conduct across the country. by accessing my website (www.chrissy-jackson.com), you will find dates of scheduled classes and also a description of the ACM program offerings.