Chapter 7 - Federal and State Housing Laws Flashcards
What does the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibit?
Any type of discrimination based on race in any real estate transaction (sale or rental)
What protected classes were created with the Fair Housing Act?
Race Color Religion Sex Handicap status (mental or physical) Familial Status (families with children younger than 18 and pregnant women) National Origin
What types of housing does the Fair Housing Act cover?
Single family homes
Multifamily housing
What activities are prohibited under the Fair Housing Act?
Steering
Blockbusting
Redlining
Refusing to rent to, sell to, negotiate with, or deal with a member of a protected class
Quote different terms or conditions for buying or renting
Advertise that housing is available only to people of a certain race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap status, or familial status
Deny membership in or use of any real estate services, broker’s organization, or multiple listing service
Make false statements concerning the availability of housing for inspection, rent, or sale
What is steering?
Channeling protected-class homeowners away from areas that are not mixed with that class into areas that are
What is blockbusting?
Using the entry, or rumor of the entry, of a protected class into a neighborhood to persuade owners to sell
What is redlining?
Denying loans or insurance coverage by a lender or insurer that present different terms or conditions for homes in certain neighborhoods
What does the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 do?
Remove barriers that prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities
When were the Truth-in-Lending Acts established and for what purpose?
They were passed in 1968 and went into affect in 1969
The overall purpose of these laws is to inform consumers of exact credit costs before they make a purchase so they may compare various credit terms and costs
Who implements the Truth-in-Lending act?
The Federal Reserve Regulation Z
What is Regulation Z?
Regulation Z applies to credit associated with residential mortgage loans; the law requires that lenders disclose the annual percentage rate of interest and finance charges imposed on consumers within three business days of accepting a loan application
What are trigger terms and what do they include?
Certain credit terms or specific financing information creditors may include in advertisements that require more information; they include:
The amount or percentage of any down payment
Number of payments
Period (term) of repayment
Amount of any payment
Amount of any finance charge
What is the Equal Credit Opportunity Act?
It ensures that financial institutions and firms engaged in extending credit will make credit available with fairness and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or receipt of income from public assistance programs
What is the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act?
RESPA is a consumer protection law intended to ensure that buyers are informed regarding the amount and type of charges they will pay at closing
What are the RESPA disclosures and when must they be disclosed?
Special information booklet
Good Faith Estimate
Servicing Disclosure Statement
They must be disclosed at the time of the loan application or within three business days
What does the Special Information Booklet include?
Consumer information regarding closing services (required for purchase transactions only) the borrower may be charged for at closing (common charge of a transaction)
What is the Good Faith Estimate?
Listing the charges the buyer is likely to pay at closing
What is the Servicing Disclosure Statement?
Discloses to the borrower whether the lender intends to service the loan or transfer it to another lender or servicing company
What is the HUD-1 settlement statement?
Shows all of the charges imposed on the borrower and the seller and any credits due the borrower and the seller; it itemizes the actual closing costs of the loan transaction
It is required by RESPA
What is the Florida Fair Housing Act?
Provide for fair housing throughout the state
What is the Growth Management Act?
Requires that cities and counties prepare a comprehensive plan of land use; the act also contains a currency provision that requires that the infrastructure be in place before new development can begin
It makes it mandatory that a developer has his infrastructure in place before starting to build
What is the purpose of the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act?
To place Florida landlords of residential property and their tenants on a more equitable basis in their legal relationship
What are the three ways a landlord is obligated to account for security deposits or advanced rent?
- Hold the money in a separate noninterest-bearing Florida bank account and not commingle, hypothecate, that is, pledge as security for a debt, or use any such funds until due to the tenant
- Hold the money in a separate interest-bearing Florida bank account and pay the tenant at least 75% of any annualized average interest rate or 5% per year simple interest, and not commingle, hypothecate, or use any such funds until due to the tenant
- Post a surety bond with the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which the rental property is located in the total amount of the security deposits and advance rents or $50,000, whichever is less, and pay the tenant 5% per year simple interest
What are the landlord’s obligations to tenants?
Maintain the rented dwelling unit in a condition that meets all building, housing, and health codes in the community
Provide exterminating services for insect and rodent control
Provide garbage receptacles and pickup
Provide working equipment for heat plus running hot water
What are a tenant’s obligations?
Maintain the rented premises by complying with existing, building, housing, and health codes
Maintain the interior plumbing fixtures in a clean and sanitary condition
Use reasonable care in the operation of all plumbing, electrical, heating, and air-conditioning equipment
Conduct self and make sure guests behave so as not to disturb the peace of other tenants
A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for a landlord to enter rented premises from time to time to:
Inspect the premises
Make necessary or agreed-on repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements
Supply agreed-on services
Exhibit or show the premises