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HUD published civil penalty amounts increased for Fair Housing mistakes
Whether accidentally or intentionally, a fair housing violation will now cost you and your company more…much more. HUD has published inflation-adjusted civil penalty amounts for individuals or companies that are found violating the federal Fair Housing Act.
For a first-time offense, a violator can be assessed a civil penalty of up to $23,011. For a second violation within five years, the fine goes up to $57,527. And if you break the Fair Housing Act again within seven years, that third fine can be as high as $115,054. And that is a fine to you, personally.
Note that any multifamily onsite professional who purposely violates the Fair Housing Act will not have a chance to do it a second or third time. They will probably be working in some other industry.
What if the violation is unintentional or due to a lack of training?
What if you are unintentionally driving 50 mph in a 20 mph school zone? You will get a stiff penalty; a very costly speeding ticket. Right? Same with the Fair Housing violations.
HUD and its compliance agencies don’t care that you were not properly trained or just made a boo-boo. You still pay the civil fine plus an additional court-imposed fine that is much more in actual and punitive damages. Like six figures more!
If you are not clear on fair housing and how to fully comply with the Fair Housing Act, I can help!
