Is it legal to deny housing to college students, and if so, why?

[antigone382]

Background: I am twenty-four years old. I have been renting for two years now, always made my payments on time and never had a problem with my landlords...I have remained fully employed, holding down two or three jobs when I have had to, and I've never even gotten a speeding ticket. I recently re-enrolled part-time in a two-year school about forty-five minutes from where I live so that I could complete my associate's degree. Because of gas prices I made the decision to relocate to the town where the school is, and even managed to secure a decent-paying full time job in that area, but every decent apartment complex I go to turns me away before even glancing at my application once they find out I'm going to school, even when I explain that I'm only taking two classes and will be employed full-time. How is this legal?

[LeftyMom]

1. Students generally are not a protected class.

Just don't mention that you're going to school unless you have to factor student aid into your income or something.

[antigone382]

8. I worry about getting evicted in that case if they find out...

Although, being a quiet, responsible, bill-paying and generally honest adult I'm not sure why they would want to do that once I was already renting from them.

[LeftyMom]

13. If they don't ask about it, then it's not grounds for an eviction.

If they do ask, you take a risk if you're not honest because lying on your application IS grounds for eviction.

[GOPisEvil]

2. College students are not a federally protected class.

Not fair, but as long as the rule is applied to ALL college students, without exception, it's technically legal.

[Neshanic]

3. But they are at times Feral.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Feral students also not protected.

Now if they were feral students over 40...

[antigone382]

5. One place told me they didn't accept students of the particular college I'm attending.

It was the first place I called...I mentioned I was a student because I was naive enough to think that was a *good* thing, so when she asked me what college I was going to, I was confused, but it didn't occur to me to answer dishonestly.

[GOPisEvil]

6. Well, as long as it's ALL students of that institution, it's legal.

Sucks that they are teaching you to basically be dishonest. But, I'm guessing that students of this particular school have caused much damage over the years. Your situation isn't fair at all, but sadly, it's legal based on the information you've provided. I do hope you can find someplace.

[antigone382]

11. Thanks for your time and info.

I'm sure I'll find something eventually, it's just so incredibly frustrating and unfair that they won't even consider me when I have so much evidence to prove that I'm mature and responsible. It would be easier if I had any friends in this area; I might find someone who would let me stay with them temporarily until I could figure something out.

[GOPisEvil]

7. dupe.

[SacredCow]

9. Another case where the actions of a few spoil it for everybody else...

I had some sorority girls move in to the apartment downstairs from me one time, and it was a freakin' nightmare. They had parties almost nightly, they ALWAYS took my assigned parking space and refused to move, they threw their trash out of the back door into the canal that ran behind the unit, and manymanymany other things. And they were only there a month. The final straw for me was during one such party they decided (for reasons I can't possibly fathom) that they needed to go dance on the hoods of cars in the lot (mine included- had to get a new hood it was dented so badly). I told the landlord that either they were booted or I was making HIM pay for my car repairs. They got evicted the next day.

OTOH, the guys that moved in after them were also students and were perfect neighbors. They had parties, but ALWAYS told me in advance (even invited me) and ended them at a mostly reasonable hour. Once when I was sick, they even checked in on me to see if I needed anything.

Sorry you're having that problem. I'd say take the earlier advice of "don't tell, if they don't ask."

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. If you are employed full-time, leave the college stuff off.

[LostinVA]

12. In some cities it IS illegal

I know it used to be in Greensboro, NC, when I lived there.

Heed what other people have said: don't even mention it, since you're employed FT and have a work and rental payment history.