Fair Housing

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On an annual basis, I am required to complete a 3-hour online training class for the real estate management company I work for. The training is on federal Fair Housing Laws, ensuring that we are trained, educated and prepared to provide equal housing opportunities for all qualified individuals. The law was created in 1968, and amended in 1974 and again in 1989. While I fully support the overall intent of the federal Fair Housing Laws, there are many things in the law that I disagree with. For example, if you are moving into a neighborhood, or an apartment community, and you ask the real estate agent or leasing consultant about the type of people that live in the community, by law they cannot tell you that information. As a buyer or renter looking to move into a community, I feel I should have the legal right to know what type of community I'm moving in to! Don't you agree? For example, if a military veteran with PTSD that goes crazy every time he/she here's a loud noise or bang, wants to move into an apartment and asks if there are any loud neighbors or college students who party every night, by law that question cannot be answered. But shouldn't that military veteran have a right to know if he/she is moving into a neighborhood or apartment community that potentially could present a danger to him/herself and others? If a family with young children is searching for a neighborhood with other similarly-aged children, so that their child could have playmates, if they ask the question about other children living in the neighborhood, by law they can't be told that information. Another illegal tactic is to suggest that prospective buyers or renters come back in the evenings, or on weekends, to check out the residents who are getting off work, or using the community's amenities, so that prospective tenants can get an idea of the make-up of the residents. But shouldn't we be able to encourage future residents to check things out before making an important decision? The law says no. Again, I support the goals of the Fair Housing Laws to ensure that everyone has equal opportunity when it comes to renting or buying a home. But I also think the law hinders the buyer/renter from finding out all the facts about a community before making what could be the most important decision of their life--their future home. What are your thoughts on this?