I'm A Protected Class - You Cannot "Not" Rent To Me.

This is why we have the Fair Housing Act. To protect certain classes. But, if someone doesn't meet income and credit check requirements, that doesn't mean they can rent that housing anyway.

Gabrielle, as an investor, I'm an advocate for using property managers; they know the rules, I don't.  The laws are ever changing, and I'm confident that there are more informed people than me.  Some people use their "class" whether it's race, or  gender or whatever, to threaten naive landlords.

Great post, Gabrielle. The arguement can go both ways. You are right, for those who don't understand, they might see it differently. Always treat everyone equally and you have no fear.

Well done! Stay consistent and there are no worries!

Another reason I don't want my property management license --- but yes, treat every one equal and we will all be ok.

If you conduct your business ethically, treating everyone equal, you will have nothing to fear about. People are always out there to take advantages of everyone.

Roommates are not a "protected" class -- I won't rent to roommates!  And you're right, they have to be able to meet the requirements, and sometimes credit issues, or income are where their applications can be denied.

Frankly, when someone says something like that it is good fortune that they were in fact denied. Who wants to deal with that sort of devisive attitude? 

Great post!  It reminds me of one of the best things I ever read about property management and procuring tenants: "Having bad credit is NOT a protected class"

Hey thanks for the interesting and informative post today.  I enjoyed the read.

Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME

What lunacy!  I love how people try to use federal regulations as a club; when they are trying to promote equality; yeah being consistent is the only ethical course.  Nicely done.

As a landlord, I am always careful about adherence to rules and regulations.  Nice post.  Thanks for sharing.

Gabrielle,

I remember telling one gal that she might be a protected class but her pit bull certainly wasn't and the landlord said "no pets." Even she had to laugh.

People who lead with that are the ones who have learned to play the system. It's too bad that Owners will sometimes fall for it. They should hire a good property manager!

This is a good reminder of the Fair Housing standards. Many people would be scared by that statement and rent to them as a result, but in turn they could actually be in violation for renting to that person, and not to someone else.

This is a great post--well written and to the point.  Equal treatment of all people applies to sales as well as rentals.

That's the right answer. It's not a matter of being in some protected class--it's that they did not meet the rental criteria. I always have the rental criteria in written form just to be safe and we do not deviate from it.

Tom

It never ceases to amaze me. The people with the lowest credit scores & other unqualifications are the first to always yell 'foul' about whom the landlord should rent to. It probably works a good percentage of the time to an inexperienced agent/owner. You must have systems in place & treat all applicants fairly.

I do not handle rentals.. I do have a guest house that I have considered renting.. but I need to bone up on how to go about it properly since I do not do it on a regular basis.  :)

With all of the anti-discrimination laws and best practices currently in place, there is no protected class.