New HUD Guidance: Guidance on the Application of the Fair Housing Act to the Screening of Applicants for Rental Housing.

In April of 2024, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity released new guidance on the Fair Housing Act’s application to tenant screening practices. The guidance outlines how housing providers and tenant screening companies can evaluate applicants for rental housing in a nondiscriminatory way. Additionally, HUD recommends some best practices for complying with the Fair Housing Act.

This guidance may assist applicants with understanding their rights and identifying instances in which they may have been denied housing unlawfully.

You can read HUD’s guidance here.

Sharing with the Educators at NCREEA Fall Conference  

Len Elder, Director of Education and Licensing, with members of the Education staff, attended the virtual 2024 NC Real Estate Educator Association (NCREEA) Fall Conference. The all-day event included sessions on how educators can assist brokers understand and comply with changes to agency and compensation forms in light of the pending NAR settlement.

Mr. Elder and his staff led a townhall-type session to clarify that the proposed changes to standard REALTOR® forms and best practices are not in conflict with NC License Law and Commission rules which set the minimum requirements for real estate brokerage in North Carolina. Clarification was made that compliance changes proposed by NC REALTORS® do not require any state law or Commission rule changes.

Discussion was also lively regarding agency practices such as subagency, co-brokerage fees, and brokers allowing third parties to show property or hold open houses for the brokers’ clients. Caution was strongly advised in the use of third parties, some of which do not hold active NC broker licenses, and even if licensed, may not have the necessary authority.

Supporting Your Clients After a Disaster: Mortgage Relief Guidance

As a broker, your role extends beyond transactions—clients may reach out to you for guidance after a natural disaster. While you should never advise outside your expertise, you can provide valuable support by directing clients to trusted resources for assistance.

Here are some key resources for homeowners impacted by disasters:

1. HUD and USDA Disaster Relief
   For clients with government-backed loans, HUD and USDA offer disaster assistance options, including temporary housing solutions and rebuilding support. Visit HUD’s Disaster Relief Resources for more information.
2. Fannie Mae
   • Fannie Mae reminds homeowners, renters, and servicers about available disaster relief options, including forbearance and loan modification programs. For details, visit their newsroom release.
   • Homeowners can access specific guidance and tools through Fannie Mae’s Disaster Assistance page.
3. Freddie Mac
   Freddie Mac provides disaster assistance such as payment forbearance, late fee waivers, and foreclosure relief for affected borrowers. Clients can explore these options on the Freddie Mac Hurricane Relief page.
4. General Disaster Assistance
   Direct clients to disasterassistance.gov, a one-stop shop for federal disaster aid, including housing assistance and financial recovery programs.

Encourage your clients who are having financial difficulty to contact their mortgage servicer, as servicers are their primary point of contact for initiating relief options. They also may need to talk to an attorney. Recommending these resources may help clients navigate these challenging times.