The Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA) protects against housing discrimination. This law applies to many housing providers, ensuring fair treatment for all tenants. Yet, sometimes, tenants make requests that seem to conflict with each other. Here is a guide to help you...
Co-op Housing Discrimination
Do housing co-ops need to accept emotional support animals?
Housing co-ops are a way to make homeownership accessible to a broader segment of the population. Co-ops offer shared spaces and amenities and a feeling of community for residents while imposing specific standards for those living in the community. A co-op can be a...
How to prevent co-op housing discrimination claims
A housing cooperative or “co-op” is a residential alternative that operates like a nonprofit corporation. Residents are also members jointly owning shares that allow them to live in their homes. As shareholders, they have a say on how to run things around the...
A homeowners association must comply with the Fair Housing Act
A homeowners association (HOA) is the body that governs a housing community. It is an organization that comprises individual homeowners looking to maintain order and peace around the area of their residence and is especially popular in common interest communities...
New law prompts HOAs to remove racially restrictive language
Homeowners and condominium associations in Michigan can now amend their rules to remove racially restrictive language. While the Fair Housing Act and other laws have been in place to prevent discriminatory practices in housing, the act did not apply to homeowners’...
What are differences between condos, apartments and co-ops?
Living situations vary based on several factors, including the management of units in a building. While apartments, condos and co-ops may appear similar on the outside, they are different in many ways. When contemplating the kind of structure to put in place,...
Steps you can take to help protect your housing co-op from a lawsuit
Housing cooperatives have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more Americans decide that they’d rather live in a close-knit community alongside people with similar goals and priorities. While living in a housing co-op can be quite pleasant,...
A look at discrimination and cooperative housing law
A housing cooperative (co-op) is a residency owned and operated by its members, many of whom are residents. Members get a certificate that verifies membership in the Michigan co-op. Cooperative housing laws prevent these corporations from engaging in discriminatory...
What do reasonable accommodations look like for housing co-ops?
By definition, housing co-ops are more exclusive than other types of housing, such as condominiums and apartments. Thus, the board of a co-op can be more selective in what they choose to require of their shareholder-residents, and which accommodations they choose to...
The seven protected classes for fair housing
Co-op housing in Michigan needs to follow fair housing laws. The Fair Housing Act protects several classes of people from being discriminated against in their housing. Co-op housing managers need to understand how this law affects their housing and ensure that they...