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(Chicago, IL, April 24, 2009)  The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM ) recently debuted the online version of its dynamic 4.5 hour seminar titled “Fair Housing and Beyond (FHS201),” developed in collaboration with the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI)  to address the need for comprehensive fair housing training in the residential real estate management industry.   Previously available only in a classroom setting, the seminar is self guided and features open enrollment, enabling individuals to begin and return to it at any time. 

“Fair Housing and Beyond” includes over 50 minutes of interactive, DVD-driven activities that train participants to go “beyond the basics” and gain a more nuanced understanding of fair housing. It provides an in-depth look at the equal opportunity mandate that is so critical to  residential property management professionals. It also examines the leasing, property operations, and customer service functions, factoring in the multicultural reality of today’s residential communities. Audiences expected to benefit from the seminar are  management company executives; property managers; site managers; leasing professionals; maintenance technicians; office administration staff; and vendors who must comply with fair housing law.

MORE CONTENT SPECIFICS
Key topics the seminar addresses are:

• The protected classes and discrimination: Self assessment; the need for fair housing education for all staff; federal protected classes; state/municipal/local fair housing protections; discrimination by differential treatment and disparate impact; and, a close look at discrimination and fair housing protections.
• Focus on disability:  Discrimination and the disability protection; demonstrating sensitivity and awareness; reasonable accommodations and modifications.
• Fair housing and property operations: Communication protocols; handling resident complaints; documentation and statute of limitations; resident selection guidelines; occupancy standards; fair credit reporting; and, advertising guidelines.

TUITION AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Tuition for “Fair Housing and Beyond,” online,” is $79.00 for IREM members and $109.00 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit the “Education” section of the IREM Web site at http://www.irem.org, and click on the “Education” section; or phone (800) 837-0706, Ext. 4650.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT
The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM^®) is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008.  Major sponsors of the year-long celebration areYardi Systems, a leading provider of high-performance software solutions for the real estate industry, and the REALTORS^® Commercial Alliance (RCA), the collective commercial constituency within the National Association of REALTORS^®.

For more than seven decades, IREM has been the source for education, resources, information, and membership for real estate management professionals. An affiliate of the National Association of Realtors^®, IREM is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, eight international chapters, and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.

Membership includes more than 18,000 individual members and 500 corporate members. IREM promotes ethical real estate management practices through its credentialed membership programs, including the Certified Property Manager® (CPM®) designation, the Accredited Residential Manager® (ARM®) certification, the ACoMcertification, and the Accredited Management Organization® (AMO®) accreditation. These esteemed credentials certify competence and professionalism for those engaged in real estate management. In addition, IREM offers Associate, Student and Academic memberships.

Collectively, IREM CPM® Members in the United States manage over $1.5 trillion in real estate assets, including 8.4 million residential units and 8.4 billion net square feet of commercial space. An additional 977,400 residential units are managed by IREM ARM® Members. IREM Members are employed by some of the most prestigious real estate firms in the world and nearly 70% hold upper-level management positions. Due to their professionalism and vast experience, property owners and investors worldwide continually seek out the management services of IREM Members.

To learn more about the Institute of Real Estate Management and its chapter network, call (800) 837-0706, Ext. 4650 (outside the U.S. call (312) 329-6000) or visit www.irem.org.