unit 1

Question 1

Virginia Fair Housing Office (VFHO)

Answer 1

• VFHO has two mandates: investigation and training

- Investigative arm for both the FHB and the REB

Question 2

conciliation

Answer 2

a voluntary process where the parties attempt to resolve the complaint by agreeing to mutually acceptable terms.

Question 3

REB

Answer 3

The REB is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the fair housing law with respect to real estate licensees or their employees.

Question 4

FHB

Answer 4

The FHB is responsible for all others who violate the fair housing law.

Question 5

FHB members

Answer 5

FHB is composed of 12 members
appointed by the governor for four-year terms
Three citizen members selected in accordance with Section 54.1-107

Question 6

Marital status is a protected class under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. (T/F)

Answer 6

False.

Marital status protections are a provision of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).

Question 7

The Fair Housing Board is the recipient for fair housing complaints for non-licensees. (T/F)

Answer 7

True.

Question 8

Virginia Fair Housing Law

Answer 8

Prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate activities on the basis of

race,
color,
religion,
national origin,
sex,
elderliness,
familial status, or
handicap.

VA added the additional protected class of elderliness to the seven federal protected classes.

Question 9

Elderliness

Answer 9

For purposes of the fair housing law, elderliness refers to individuals who have attained their 55th birthday.

Question 10

Familial Status

Answer 10

The familial status class protects individuals under the age of 18 who live with either

• parent or other person having legal custody
• pregnant person

Question 11

Handicap

Answer 11

A person is considered handicapped if that person suffers from a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Question 12

Hoarding

Answer 12

classified by the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disabilities as a disability.

Question 13

Respondent

Answer 13

is the person or entity alleged to have violated the provisions of the fair housing law.

Question 14

Fair Housing Exemption

Answer 14

A single-family residence sold or rented by the owner is exempt from the statute, as long as the owner owns no more than three such homes at the time.