No matter how large or small a property is, there will always be staff assigned to do work at the property, including maintenance and leasing staff. While all staff receive training relating to their job, there is one type of training that is necessary for everyone – Fair Housing. Many management company owners and supervisors overlook the importance of having specific fair housing policies for a property’s maintenance staff.
If a company fails to provide fair housing training for its staff and a resident believes that a maintenance workers conduct violated fair housing law, the owner of the property may face a much stiffer penalty than would occur if fair housing training had been provided. In addition to training, establishing a fair housing code of conduct for property-based staff, including maintenance staff. Having a Code of Conduct, and training all staff on the requirements of the policy, can go a long way toward preventing fair housing claims against a property – especially in the area of sexual harassment.
While education is a crucial part of the fair housing process, instructing staff about fair housing law is not enough because that won’t necessarily teach them exactly how they are expected to behave when interacting with residents and prospects. A Code of Conduct for staff authorized to enter resident units should include specific rules, with examples. While the rules cannot cover every possible scenario, they should describe the most common mistakes and how to avoid making them.
Any Code of Conduct for site staff should cover six basic rules:
- Treat all prospects and residents in the same manner;
- Don’t fraternize with residents;
- Don’t enter a unit unless a resident lets you in;
- Don’t be alone in a unit with a minor child;
- Respect residents’ privacy; and
- Enter units in a team for emergency service when the resident is not at home.
Having a Code of Conduct with these elements will go a long way in helping to prevent avoidable fair housing complaints. If we can assist you in any way in establishing such a policy for your property, please feel free to contact us.