United States v. Blass (D. Kan.)

On August 2, 2016, the court entered a consent order in United States v. Blass (D. Kan.), a Fair Housing Act election case referred to the Division by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”).  The complaint, filed on August 1, 2016, alleges that defendants violated the Fair Housing Act on the basis of disability by sending their tenant with a disability a letter strongly suggesting that she move out of their property and into a property better suited to fit her disability.  The tenant did not have any problems with the property’s accessibility, and she had never complained to defendants about the property’s accessibility.  The complaint also alleges that defendants coerced and interfered with their tenant because she had previously filed a HUD complaint against defendants asserting her right to keep an assistance animal.  The consent order requires defendants to pay $5,000 to the tenant and to provide her with a letter apologizing for their actions.  It also includes standard injunctive relief, requirements that Defendants obtain fair housing training and adopt reasonable accommodation and nondiscrimination policies, and reporting requirements.