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Sexual harassment in housing is a serious issue that affects the safety, dignity, and well-being of residents, and it’s a legal liability for multifamily professionals who fail to address it. Whether it comes in the form of inappropriate comments, coercive behavior, or a hostile living environment, harassment can create lasting harm and erode trust in professional relationships.
For property managers, leasing agents, and multifamily owners and operators, understanding the different types of harassment and how to prevent them is not just good practice — it’s essential.
In this blog, we’ll break down what sexual harassment in housing looks like, how to foster a safe and respectful environment, and why compliance with Fair Housing laws is critical for every rental community.
Jump to a Section
- Understanding Sexual Harassment in Housing
- 3 Steps to Prevent Sexual Harassment in Housing
- The Importance of Compliance in Multifamily Housing
Understanding Sexual Harassment in Housing
While harassment of any kind is illegal, the topic of sexual harassment in rental housing warrants special consideration. Every year, thousands of people face unwelcome comments and requests for sexual favors from landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, and security guards. For this reason, it’s important to understand what constitutes sexual harassment and the proactive steps you can take to prevent it.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) recognize two types of sexual harassment: quid pro quo sexual harassment and hostile environment sexual harassment.
Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment
Quid pro quo sexual harassment is an unwelcome request or demand to engage in conduct where the submission is either explicitly or implicitly made a condition related to the terms, conditions, or privileges of the sale or rental.
🚩An unwelcome request or demand may constitute quid pro quo harassment even if the person agrees to the unwelcome request or demand.
Example: A property manager telling a prospective resident that she’ll waive the pet fee if he goes on a date with her is an example of quid pro quo sexual harassment.
Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment
Hostile environment sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive enough to interfere with the use or enjoyment of the apartment home or other facilities.
🚩Determining a hostile environment depends on many factors, including nature, severity, frequency, duration, context, and location of the conduct.
Example: A leasing consultant makes frequent comments about a resident’s body while she is at the swimming pool, to the point where his behavior makes her stop visiting the swimming pool.
3 Steps To Prevent Sexual Harassment in Housing
With increased awareness and legal enforcement of sexual harassment policies, it’s critical for rental housing professionals to create a safe and respectful environment.
Here are some key steps to help foster a safe and respectful environment:
1. Be Mindful of Workplace and Resident Interactions
Creating a respectful and professional atmosphere starts with being aware of how we interact with others. Every gesture, comment, or behavior contributes to the culture of the workplace and community.
- Think about how your actions and words may be perceived by others.
- Avoid initiating physical contact, such as hugs or kisses, with customers or coworkers. Even if you are just an affectionate person and don’t mean anything by it, it can make some people uncomfortable, and they may be too polite to tell you so. You can still be friendly — try a smile and a positive greeting instead.
- Maintain professionalism in all interactions to ensure comments and compliments remain appropriate. In general, avoid commenting on how customers and coworkers look, like telling a customer she looks great in her jeans or telling a co-worker he’s “looking hot.” What may seem like a harmless compliment to you could be unwanted attention for that person.
2. Establish Clear Policies and Training
To support this culture effectively, it’s important to have clear policies and guidelines in place, and providing consistent training can reinforce respectful behavior and set expectations for everyone.
- Ensure your company has an anti-harassment policy that clearly defines inappropriate behavior and outlines the process for reporting concerns.
- Provide ongoing training for employees to help them understand the laws and expectations regarding workplace and resident interactions.
3. Take Immediate Action When Harassment Occurs
Addressing harassment in the moment is essential to fostering a safe and respectful environment. By taking immediate action, you help prevent further harm and demonstrate that such behavior will not be tolerated.
- If you witness harassing behavior, do not ignore it or encourage it through silence. Sadly, the person doing the harassing may think your silence or nervous laughter means you are OK with the behavior.
- Report inappropriate conduct to your supervisor or HR department immediately.
- If you are a supervisor, investigate and respond to any complaints promptly to ensure compliance with Fair Housing Laws.
Looking to learn more? Check out this related blog: Combating Sexual Harassment: A Blueprint for Safer Multifamily Living
The Importance of Compliance in Multifamily Housing
Sexual harassment in housing has come under increased scrutiny — and that attention isn’t fading anytime soon. The Fair Housing Act prohibits sexual harassment in housing. But more importantly, HUD has made it a priority to investigate complaints and hold violators accountable. Multifamily property owners, operators, and managers who fail to take this seriously face not only legal consequences but also significant reputational and financial damage.
Compliance isn’t just about knowing the law — it’s about creating an environment where respectful behavior is the norm. Ensure your team is informed about Fair Housing regulations and thoroughly trained in professional, respectful conduct.
When property management professionals commit to building a culture of respect, awareness, and accountability, they help create safer, more inclusive communities where all residents feel valued and protected.
Need to train your team? Being unaware of the law is not an excuse, so ensure your employees understand how to prevent sexual harassment in housing. Talk to a Grace Hill expert today about our sexual harassment policy and training solutions.
