2026 Fair Housing Compliance Review & Critical Updates

A practical, real-world compliance training covering reasonable accommodations, assistance animals, harassment liability, occupancy standards, and today’s most common fair housing complaints

Fair housing is not about treating everyone the same. It is about equal opportunity, equal access, and equal enjoyment.

In this focused 2026 update, nationally recognized expert Doug Chasick breaks down the compliance areas generating the most complaints, the biggest liability risks, and the policies that need your attention right now.

Protect your property. Protect your team. Protect your residents.

WHY THIS WEBINAR MATTERS IN 2026

Fair housing complaints continue to rise, and enforcement is expanding. The most common risks are no longer obvious discrimination. They involve:

• Assistance animals
• Rental due date adjustments
• Harassment claims
• Source of income issues
• Parking policies
• Inconsistent rule enforcement
• Resident-on-resident harassment

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Is this a beginner course?
  It includes a foundational refresher but focuses heavily on current risks and advanced compliance scenarios.
• Does this include assistance animal guidance?
  Yes. This is one of the core sections of the program.
• Will harassment and vendor liability be covered?
  Yes. Both direct and third-party liability are addressed.
• Is this suitable for vendors?
  Absolutely. Vendors and contractors are increasingly exposed to liability and should attend.

Webinar Objectives

By the end of this training, you will:

• Understand 2026 fair housing risk areas
• Apply consistent decision-making standards
• Properly evaluate accommodation and modification requests
• Reduce liability exposure related to assistance animals
• Respond appropriately to harassment complaints
• Protect your property from avoidable legal risk

Webinar Agenda

1. Fair Housing Foundations Refresher

• Protected classes under Title VIII
• Equal opportunity vs equal treatment
• Different treatment vs disparate impact
• Why consistency matters more than sameness

2. The Five Most Common Fair Housing Complaints

• Animals
• Reserved parking
• Source of income
• Age-related rules
• Harassment and sexual misconduct
• Language concerns

You will learn where operators make mistakes and how to avoid them.

3. Disability Compliance: Accommodations & Modifications

Clear guidance on:

• What qualifies as a disability
• What makes a request “reasonable”
• Undue financial and administrative burden
• Rental due date accommodation risks
• When denial becomes discrimination

Includes discussion of recent court signals regarding Social Security Disability and due date policies.

4. Assistance Animals: Service vs Emotional Support

One of the highest risk areas in housing today.

We cover:

• Service animals vs emotional support animals
• What you can legally ask
• What you cannot ask
• Internet certificates and unreliable documentation
• Pet limits vs assistance animals
• Breed, weight, species restrictions
• Pet fees and deposits
• Liability insurance questions
• Common area access

Clear, step-by-step compliance guidance.

5. Occupancy Standards & National Origin Considerations

• Bedrooms vs rooms
• Extended family considerations
• Steering risks
• “Where do most of the kids live?” type questions
• Avoiding discriminatory language

6. Harassment, Sexual Harassment & Liability

This section is critical in 2026.

Learn:

• Hostile environment vs quid pro quo
• Vendor and contractor liability
• Direct liability vs vicarious liability
• Resident-on-resident harassment
• Your obligation to take prompt corrective action
• What “prompt action” legally means
• Why you cannot penalize the complaining resident

7. Vendor & Contractor Compliance

• Fair housing training expectations
• Contract addendums
• Monitoring third parties
• Reference checking
• Risk reduction best practices

8. Documentation Best Practices

If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen.

Learn how to document:

• Accommodation requests
• Verbal interactions
• Harassment complaints
• Investigations
• Progressive enforcement
• Social media issues
• Witness statements
• Photos and videos

Who Should Attend

• Property Managers
• Regional Managers
• Leasing Professionals
• Compliance Officers
• Owners & Asset Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Vendors & Contractors working in multifamily housing