At HTS preventive law is king. We know that better educated clients are less likely to get into legal trouble. And if they do run into a problem, we can more successfully defend them knowing that they were in compliance with the law. Our workshops are offered free to our clients and are designed to educate and assist owners, managers, and staffs on today's complex landlord-tenant and Fair Housing Laws.
We offer classes in both Basic and Advanced Fair Housing Training, Basic and Non-Monetary Advanced Eviction Training and client specific specialized workshops. Participants receive a workbook that includes the material covered and copies of all relevant forms/notices.
The cornerstone and success of our training programs is our commitment to continually improve and to update both our teaching materials and our presentations to maximize the benefit to those who attend the classes. We do this by staying on top of all of the changes, case law and nuances that are always evolving in the area of multi-family housing law. And, most importantly we LISTEN. We carefully review and refine our presentations and evaluate the effectiveness of our classes based on the evaluations of those who attend our workshops.
We also provide the opportunity for attendees to express personal comments and suggestions on their evaluation forms
The following are representative of a few of the comments that we received:
The primary focus of this workshop is on the principles of Fair Housing, in particular how to conduct business in accordance with fair housing and civil rights laws. After taking this class, participants will know how to properly deal with the issues concerning both prospective and current tenants. Fair Housing law is founded on ethics and treating all people equally. The class covers different protected classes (such as race, religion, sex, etc.) and their rights when renting to them. When it comes to Fair Housing, the Firm deals with more disabled tenant cases than any other issue. Learn the difference between a reasonable accommodation and modification, and how to handle these requests from disabled residents. In particular, attendees will explore complicated issues such as companion animal or disabled parking requests.
Advertising your rentals is critical for your bottom line and is conducted by every employee on your property. Learn what you can and cannot say about your property and current residents to prospective residents. Protect yourself by learning the do's and don'ts of the application and signing process, including the pitfalls of steering or asking illegal questions. Discover the best way of handling maintenance requests to keep you out of legal turmoil.
This class is ideal for those who are new to the property management industry or those who just need to brush up on their fair housing skills. Fines for a first fair housing offense may cost a property up to $10,000! It is important to know that the nuances of Fair Housing laws are constantly evolving and changing due to new case law . Educating employees for FREE while reducing risk of costly Fair Housing litigation is something invaluable to all property owners and managers.
The focus on the Advanced class is to go beyond the protected classes and examine all facets of the requirements of Fair Housing Laws. Emphasis is on the complex areas of Accommodation and Modification, Disabilities-Permanent & Temporary, Tenant Retaliation and Dealing with Complaints. We address all the nuances that these issues can impact. We also deal with Risk Analysis and how to evaluate your risks when handling these issues.
The class features extensive testing on real case scenarios that have occurred involving the accommodation and modification requirements under Fair Housing-how they were handled and how they should be handled. Attendees learn what the distinction is between accommodation and modification and who has the financial responsibility to pay for these requests. Workshop participants are challenged to know the differences between accommodation and modification and develop an understanding that even something like "landlord fees" can be challenged in specific instances as a mandated reasonable accommodation. We present the distinction in the law between a service animal and a companion animal and how to handle these requests in order not to run into a Fair Housing violation
We discuss and explore what can happen if a Fair Housing complaint is filed against you and what your liabilities could be as well as what to do if you receive a notice from the CCRD (Colorado Civil Rights Division) or HUD.
The area of Advanced Fair Housing is far more complex than learning Basic Fair Housing, the protected classes and the intent of the law. Participants should have attended a Basic Fair Housing Class or have extensive practical knowledge and experience in Basic Fair Housing.
The primary focus of this workshop is on the Basic Residential Eviction action of Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent. Emphasis is on and examples presented to demonstrate the importance of using the legally correct notice to eliminate any defense against the eviction action. The class covers the key issues in drafting notices and the common mistakes made in filling out and serving the notice which result in defective service and delay in eviction. What are the do's and don'ts of service? The goal is to develop an understanding of the complete Eviction Flow Process not just filing out notices. Is a three day notice really three days? How and what days do you count? Technical defenses most often used by residents including tender, waiver and partial payments plus how to deal with them.
Lease language that works or doesn't work. What do the different types of notices mean, what do they tell a resident and when should you serve more than one notice? What are the grounds for different types of Evictions and their corresponding notices? Notice to comply vs. notice to quit. When does a resident have the right to cure and when not? Non-monetary evictions (evictions for cause) are broadly reviewed including compliance, subsequent and substantial violations as well as lease termination. Information covered includes the ordering and handling of Writs and the use of Stipulations in the Eviction Process. We will also address issues that arise in subsidized housing evictions. Abandonment of the property and tenant liability are discussed as well as the issue of possession of the property by judgment.
Participants receive a workbook that includes the material covered and copies of correct Eviction Notices, Writs & Stips and other key topics of interest to multi-family housing professionals.
The Non-Monetary Evictions workshop explores the eviction process for matters more complex than non-payment of rent. Participants are encouraged to attend the Basic Evictions class prior to attending the Non-Monetary Evictions workshop, as this class will build from a foundation of the basic eviction process and its notices. Participants learn that Non-Monetary Evictions are not as common as Evictions for Non-Payment and are based on different grounds, rights and statutory authority
This class clarifies and defines the four basic categories of Non-Monetary Evictions. (Non-Compliance, Subsequent Violation, Substantial Violation, Notice to Quit) Learn how each category is different and why each requires a different type of notice and develop an understanding of what each notice is "telling the resident." Learning these distinctions is an important step in determining the best offence against a resident's defense. The class covers real case scenarios involving Non-Monetary Evictions and the differences in how they were handled correctly or incorrectly.
Difficulties arise in Non-Compliance Evictions when there is uncertainty in when to serve a resident and why. How to put the case together and when to serve more than one notice is critical information for a multi-family housing professional. How property managers should respond to residents that act in violation of the rules set forth by their leases is covered in depth. Using the appropriate notice is critical to your eviction case. Learn the differences between notices for subsequent violations, substantial violations, and lease terminations, and when/how to properly use them.
Discover that the most effective way to win eviction trials is to have a foolproof lease. This class will cover certain legal language and addendums that will ensure that your lease has you and your property protected from every angle. The ever-developing domestic violence laws and its connection with Evictions will also be explored.
In addition to the workbook, all class participants will receive copies and examples of the various notices, writs, and stipulations that the Firm encourages property managers to use. Attendees will also receive pertinent articles written by Firm attorneys that help to simplify the most common and complex Non-Monetary Eviction matters.
The recent changes in the enforcement of real estate law have caused concern among many property owners and managers. The Firm has designed this workshop to clarify the demands of the Real Estate Commission as they relate to your property and employees. Class participants will learn the definition of a real estate broker, as well as who on the property is required to possess a real estate broker's license. Learn who qualifies for exemption from these laws. This class will outline the do's and don'ts of onsite managers in relation to real estate commission compliance. Many types of property management exist in the multi-family housing industry. After attending this class, participants will know the difference between owner, hybrid, and fee management, as well as REIT's, joint ventures, and hands-on ownership.
Discover the surprising employee compensation regulations that many property managers are unaware they are violating, as well as creative and legal ways to counter them. Onsite personnel will learn the proper way to execute leases. The class also details how brokers are to appropriately proceed with their day-to-day tasks, such as dealing with prospective tenants and handling security deposits.
After attending this class, property owners and managers should know how to comply with real estate commission regulations in hopes of avoiding an audit. All class participants will receive crucial forms and documents relating to real estate commission law.
