How do fair housing agencies investigate allegations of illegal discrimination?

Fair housing agencies typically utilize testers as a method to gather information on potential violations of housing discrimination laws. Testers are individuals who pose as prospective tenants or buyers to assess the treatment they receive from landlords, real estate agents, and property managers. This controlled method allows agencies to collect empirical evidence on discriminatory practices and compare how different individuals, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability, are treated in similar situations.

This approach is effective because it provides a clear and systematic way of documenting behavior that may not be readily observable through standard investigative methods. When the testers report their experiences, the agencies can analyze the differences in treatment and determine if there is a pattern of discrimination that warrants further investigation or action.

The other options reflect different strategies that are not typically employed by fair housing agencies. For instance, avoiding the use of testers would limit the effectiveness of investigations in gathering direct, actionable evidence. Deferring matters to the courts without first conducting an investigation undermines the agency's role in ensuring compliance with fair housing laws before legal action is potentially pursued. Lastly, immediately suspending a license from a licensee without proper investigation would violate due process rights and the principles of fairness that govern the regulatory environment in real estate. This