Ever not get an apartment for a "suspicious" reason?

[WillParkinson]

Many years ago Paul and I applied for an apartment. The one we were living in was only because we were helping a friend to care for her sick husband. When he died it was her sister. When she died our friend moved to be with her children in Missouri.

Paul and I were looking for an apartment. Something in the neighborhood of 2 - 4 units in the house. Found one around the corner from where we were living. Paul went to look at it. The landlord said he'd give us a call back. A day or two later we got this message on the answering machine:

"Yeah, this is Dave calling about the apartment for rent. We're just calling you back to let you know it has been rented, OK? OK." And then, just before he hangs up, you can can very clearly hear him say the word, "Fag."

We took the tape to the Fair Housing Board who investigated him for illegal rental practices. They sued. We went to a hearing. They lost. We wanted nothing other than to make sure they couldn't do it to anyone else. Our lawyer sued for, and won, her attorney fees.

So, you ever been denied housing or a job or....?

[dryan]

Yes.....

my husband and I wanted a three bedroom apartment in a place called Fontana on Goldenrod Road in Orlando, Florida. A 3 bedroom was only $650 a month and it had everything we wanted. We wanted a 3 bedroom because we have 2 home based businesses and use the third bedroom as a home office/store room (I sell Avon and we sell wellness products). We often have company and we were tired of having guests climb over stuff to get to the bed in our (then current) second bedroom. We really liked the 3 bedroom, but the woman who showed it kept asking 'why do you all need 3 bedrooms'? Finally, I asked 'was there a problem'. She said no. We put down a $100.00 deposit. A few days later we got a call saying that we didn't get the apartment. When I asked why the reply was, 'we just find it strange you wanted a 3 bedroom and feel you were being evasive...like maybe you have children or another person going to live there.' I was very upset and told them that it was none of their business as long as we passed the credit check and could pay our monthly rent. The true story came out that the apartments were going to close down for six months while they were renovating the place and didn't want anyone to know.

[dryan]

1. Yes.....

my husband and I wanted a three bedroom apartment in a place called Fontana on Goldenrod Road in Orlando, Florida. A 3 bedroom was only $650 a month and it had everything we wanted. We wanted a 3 bedroom because we have 2 home based businesses and use the third bedroom as a home office/store room (I sell Avon and we sell wellness products). We often have company and we were tired of having guests climb over stuff to get to the bed in our (then current) second bedroom. We really liked the 3 bedroom, but the woman who showed it kept asking 'why do you all need 3 bedrooms'? Finally, I asked 'was there a problem'. She said no. We put down a $100.00 deposit. A few days later we got a call saying that we didn't get the apartment. When I asked why the reply was, 'we just find it strange you wanted a 3 bedroom and feel you were being evasive...like maybe you have children or another person going to live there.' I was very upset and told them that it was none of their business as long as we passed the credit check and could pay our monthly rent. The true story came out that the apartments were going to close down for six months while they were renovating the place and didn't want anyone to know.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. No, but I conducted fair housing 'tests.'

Two people who are similar in all regards (rental history, verifiable income, family composition) except race apply for apartments or answer ads. Both applicants record observations at every step of the way and the results are compared for signs of bias.

I've analyzed testing data on other parameters (discrimination against families with children where it isn't specifically excluded, gender-based or sexuality-based discrimination are two other areas.) The professionals rarely break the law in an obvious way, but the smaller time landlords can be quite obvious about their distaste for certain characteristics. It's amazing how often they screen out potential tenants on the phone because they 'sound' gay or black.

[purr]

3. No but I just wanted to say

I'm sorry you had to go through that. That is immature, childish, and he deserved to get his ass sued.

[Ravenseye]

4. No

I've had horrible situations, but never been denied. That's just crazy though. If I were a landlord I'd probably consider a gay couple ideal tenants. I'd imagine that they tend to be a hell of a lot cleaner and better for maintenance than say...a couple of straight men.

[purr]

5. I was thinking the same thing..

[Blue-Jay]

6. There was a crackhouse next door.

I said "no" to that apartment.