Fair Housing violations can result in lawsuits, fines of $10,000+, and serious reputational damage. Every Montgomery landlord — whether you manage one property or fifty — must comply with federal, state, and local fair housing requirements.
Protected Classes
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on: race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status (families with children under 18), and disability. Alabama law mirrors these protections.
Common Compliance Mistakes
- Advertising language: Saying “no kids” or “perfect for singles” violates familial status protections
- Service animal refusal: You cannot deny a service animal or emotional support animal, and you cannot charge a pet deposit for one
- Inconsistent screening: Applying different criteria to different applicants (even unintentionally) creates liability
- Steering: Directing tenants toward or away from certain properties based on protected characteristics
How Professional Management Protects You
At James-Hawkins, every applicant is screened using the same objective criteria — income verification, credit history, landlord references, and background checks. Our process is consistent, documented, and legally compliant. This is one of the strongest arguments for hiring a property manager over self-managing.
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We’re here to help owners, investors, and tenants in Montgomery, AL.
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