Winter 2019-2020 Tenant Newsletter

10 72nd Tenant Winter Edition , 2019 - 20 HAPP - y Notes HOUSING DISCRIMINATION The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits the denial of housing to a person based on the person ’ s membership in one or more of the classes protected under the Act The protected classes are race , color , religion , national origin , sex , familial status , and disability It is theref ore illegal to discriminate against a person in the provision of housing because of a person ’ s membership in a protected class in the following situations the sale or rental of most housing ; the terms , conditions , privileges of sale or rental , or provision of services or faciliti es in connection with the sale or rental of most housing ; the advertising of a sale or rental of housing ; the representation of the availability of housing for rental or sale ; the pro vis ion of reasonable modifica - tion to a dwelling for persons with a disability at their expense when necessary for the full use and enjoyment of the dwelli ng ; the provision of reasonable accommodations to the rules , policies , practices or services when necessary to provide persons wi th a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy the dwelling ; the financing or refinancing of housing ; and the provision of real estate brokerage services WHAT IS PROHIBITED FALSE DENIAL OF AVAILABILITY Advising someone , because of his or her class membership , that there are no available units when , in fact , there are “ Sorry we just rented the last unit ” REFUSAL TO DEAL Refusing to rent , sell , or negotiate with a person because of class membership “ We don ’ t rent to Jews ” or “ We don ’ t sell to families with children ” DISCRIMINATORY TERMS , CONDITIONS AND PROVISION OF SERVICES OR FACILITIES Giving less favorable terms in sales or rental agreements because of class membership “ The rent is 200 higher for tenants with a service animal ” DISCRIMINATORY ADVERTISING Indicating any preference , limitation or discrimination because of class membership “ No African Americans need apply ” FINANCIAL DISCRIMINATION Denying any type of home loan for discriminatory reasons by lenders , including banks , savings and loan associations , insurance companies , and others , or giving less favorable loan terms because of class membership REFUSAL TO PERMIT A REASONABLE MODIFICATION TO THE UNIT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PERSON WITH A DISABIL - ITY , IN ORDER THAT THE PERSON MAY HAVE FULL ENJOYMENT OF THE UNIT “ You may not install grab bars in the bath - room ” DENIAL OF A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF RENTAL IN ORDER THAT THE PERSON WITH A DISABILITY MAY HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO USE AND FULLY ENJOY THEIR UNIT “ It ’ s against the rules to have another person live with you , even though there is enough room and the person is necessary to help you with yo ur health needs In addition , it is illegal to coerce , intimidate , threaten or interfere with a person seeking to exercise rights under the Fa ir Housing Act The Fair Housing Project of Legal Aid of North Carolina is available to provide information concerning a person ’ s rights under the federal Fair Housing Act LEGAL AID OF NORTH CAROLINA Fair Housing Project PO Box 26087 Raleigh , NC 27611 1 - 855 - 797 - 3247 wwwfairhousingorg Winter Holiday Schedule Christmas December 24 - 26 , 2019 New Year ’ s Day January 1 , 2020 Martin Luther King , Jr Birthday January 20 , 2020PagePLEASE REMEMBER You do NOT have to report the 16 increase for cost of living COLA Social Security benefits which begins in January , 2020 Events December 1 - 31 , 2019 Meadow Lights – 4546 Godwin Lake Rd , Benson , NC , 919 - 669 - 5969 , Largest and oldest light display in eastern NC , country store , train ride , 30 acres of lights , Santa visits December 5 , 2019 Christmas Village & Tree Lighting , Main St , Clayton , beginning at 5 30pm , Tree lighting , music , live Nativity , train rides , Santa visits and workshop , photo booth , doggie costume contest and parade December 6 , 2019 Candle Light Tour – 709 N Church St , Kenly , 919 - 284 - 3431 , 5pm to 8 30pm , Tour the Tobacco Farm Life Museum , Santa visits , hot cider , food music and shopping December 6 , 2019 Christmas on Main in Benson - 122 E Main St , Benson , 919 - 894 - 3825 , 6pm to 9pm , Tree lighting , entertainment , parade , Santa visits , antique car and tractor show December 7 , 2019 Christmas Craft Fair – Pace Family Farms , 12701 Buffalo Rd , Clayton , 919 - 398 - 2698 , 9am to 1pm , Food vendors , craft vendor booths December 7 , 2019 Four Oaks Christmas Festival - N Main St , Four Oaks , 919 - 963 - 4004 , 9am to 2pm , Christmas parade , activities and visit with Santa December 7 , 2019 Christmas on Main in Kenly – Main St , Kenly , 919 - 284 - 5510 , 9am to 2pm , Food , fun , entertainment and more December 7 , 2019 Princeton Christmas Parade – downtown Princeton , 919 - 936 - 8171 , 1pm December 12 , 2019 Smithfield Christmas Parade – downtown Smithfield , 919 - 934 - 2148 , 7pm Notes from Dawna the Inspector Let ’ s talk filters Do you want to purchase your landlord a new HVAC system If your answer is no , then you need to keep your filters CHANGED A dirty filter puts a strain on the heating and air system and forces the system to work overtime , which will eventu - ally cause the system to stop working Do you want a cheaper utility bill Then keep your filters CHANGED A dirty filter causes a large increase in your utility bill You can purchase the cheap filters which do just as well as the expensive ones , and they come several in a pack Did you know a clean , fresh filter helps allergy sufferers , those with breathing problems , and reduce pet dander KEEP FILTERS CHANGED Lets talk smoke carbon monoxide detectors Do you want to keep you and your family as safe as possible Then keep the batteries checked and replaced in your smoke and carbon monoxide de - tectors If one is chirping , that means you need to replace the batteries You do not want to lose your life or the life of a loved on e due to a fire or gas leak not being detected all because you didn ’ t change the batteries in these alarms NEVER take the battery out and leave it out , or remove the alarms all together This is a violation of HUD guidelines and wil l result in assistance termination They are in place for your safety SO WHEN SHOULD I CHANGE FILTERS AND BATTERIES FILTERS ONCE A MONTH IF POSSIBLE ABSOLUTELY ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS Page