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Thread: Discrimination and the FHA

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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Discrimination and the FHA

    Me and my husband are in the process of trying to rent, and keep running into this "I don't rent to couples" thing over and over again. It's quite frustrating. They keep making excuses like "Well, it's a small 1 bedroom so I only rent to single people" Or many ads that state things like "Single person preferred", or "Not suitable for couples" We found a place we really wanted last week, offered the guy over $1000 in cash, and he turned us down cause he said he only rents to single people. WTF???? I talked this over with my friend and he informed me that what these people are doing violates the FHA (Fair Housing Act)
    I say to these people......"With all due respect, we have lived in smaller places than yours (started out in a studio when we got married) We need a place to live and what you are offering is of great interest to us?" Then I send them information that I have copied and pasted from the FHA website:
    Examples of Discriminatory Advertisements (read #5)

    [top]

    Although not an exhaustive list, these examples should give you some idea of what might constitute a discriminatory housing advertisement.

    1. race / color

    * postings stating a preference for the race of a desired applicant (eg. "no blacks," "whites only," etc)
    * postings describing the race of current occupants of the complex or neighborhood (eg. "African-American neighborhood," "most residents are Asian," "lots of Hispanic families," etc)

    2. religion

    * postings stating a preference for the religion of a desired applicant (eg. "Christians only," "no Muslims," etc)
    * postings describing the religion of current occupants of the complex or neighborhood (eg. "nice, Christian neighborhood," "Jewish family seeks roommate," etc)

    3. national origin

    * postings stating a preference for a certain national origin (eg. "no immigrants," "no foreigners," "Irish preferred," etc)
    * postings posted only in a language other than English
    * postings describing the national origin of current occupants of the complex or neighborhood (eg. "predominately Latino neighborhood," "mostly Asian residents," etc)

    4. handicap / disability

    * postings stating a preference for able-bodied tenants (eg. "no wheelchairs," "must be able to live independently," etc)
    * postings describing the complex as unable to accomodate people with disabilities (eg. "units are not accessible", "no pets, even seeing eye dogs", etc)

    5. familial status

    * postings stating a clear preference for families without children (eg. "no children," "no kids and no pets," "single occupancy only," etc)
    * postings that could discourage families with children (eg. "ideal for working professionals," "perfect for single or couple," "nice, quiet, mature, neighborhood," etc)

    We have lived in several different states and have never been turned down by anyone because of being a couple.....wondering if this is an Arizona thing?

    Are these laws enforced? What can I do? It sucks cause we have been turned down now 3 times for places we really wanted because the landlord pulled the "single occupancy only" bullshit.

    Any input?
    Thx.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    maybe they are allowed to say that if it only has one bedroom? I'm not really sure how that works, but I'm sure there is a loophole for 1 bedrooms. Maybe not for 2 bedrooms. Could you live in one of those?

    I think they are concerned because you are not married. I guess they figure you'll break up and break the lease since you'd need the other to afford it.

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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by CherryBomb954 View Post
    Me and my husband are in the process of trying to rent.
    We are married.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    oops!

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    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    That is discrimination Cherry. You're going to need to contact the fair housing office in your area. Usually what they'll do is bring in decoys (other couples and some single folk) and run this "hey I'm interested in this apt". Then if the landlord declines them, then he can be in trouble under the FHA.

    Do it!







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by cinammonkisses View Post
    That is discrimination Cherry. You're going to need to contact the fair housing office in your area. Usually what they'll do is bring in decoys (other couples and some single folk) and run this "hey I'm interested in this apt". Then if the landlord declines them, then he can be in trouble under the FHA.

    Do it!

    I did just that! I sent a long detailed email of what we have been going through to the FHA website for my state and have already had 2 people contact me. I forwarded them my phone # and they said they are going to put in a call so they can speak to me personally.
    We'll see what happens!

    Oh by the way I got another one today....same thing....guy said he wouldn't rent to couples, only a single person cause "the place is really small" grrrr This shit is pissing me off!
    We lived in a fucking studio for a year when we first moved here! These are 1 bedrooms I am after!

  7. #7
    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by UltraViolet View Post
    Wow? In February when R and I were looking at 1 and 2 bedroom rentals we didn't come across that at all, and we looked over a lot!

    I hope you find something!

    The unit next to us in our triplex is vacant......

    Dunno what's up. Where do you live? PM me girlie I have some ??? for you

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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    I don't live in OV or anything, but it's pretty quiet. I'll PM you...

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    God/dess cinammonkisses's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by CherryBomb954 View Post

    Oh by the way I got another one today....same thing....guy said he wouldn't rent to couples, only a single person cause "the place is really small" grrrr This shit is pissing me off!
    We lived in a fucking studio for a year when we first moved here! These are 1 bedrooms I am after!
    Right on..I really hope they get in contact with you soon.

    Question and I totally don't mean to offend. But do you think there is any other reason as to why (outside of you being married) that they are not renting to you two? Is hubby of a different race/nationality? Much older than you? It's just so odd that SO MANY of these landlords are giving you the same line: "I dont sell to couples"

    Thats crazy!







    Some Douchebag: "[Pimp C] 12:43 am: its true we got to stick together the black people on SW CK you is teh condoleeza of SW"


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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Definitely look up that service I told you about CB. They'll have so many listings for you that you wouldn't have normally found publicly that you're bound to find something.

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    God/dess LuckyOne's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    FHA usually stands for federal housing administration, but since the abbreviation would be the same its easy to get confused with fair housing... the information about the Fair Housing Act you have is correct, but they unfortunately owners CAN discriminate building is 4 units or less and they live in one of the units. How many apartment units are in the buildings you were looking at?
    Last edited by LuckyOne; 09-10-2008 at 01:57 PM.

  12. #12
    Bianca O'Blivion
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    That is so bizarre. Our landlord was all over us as soon as we met her requirements and "we" is my brother and myself.....Not married obviously. We got a 2 BR 1 bathroom place. We're "ethnic" too. I guess we lucked out.

    Seriously, report these a-holes. Sue them too. My mother told me landlords in LA would do this to her in the early 1970s because she was an immigrant with 2 minors (also immigrants) this BS should not be occuring today....

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    Veteran Member NekkoStarz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    If you want to live in Marana/Dove Mtn... Our house will be for rent in a month or two! 950$/mo. 3bd/2ba... Not sure on sq. ft. though... has attached 2 car garage! BTW, I accidentally emptied my whoooooole PM box and it had your email addy

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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by cinammonkisses View Post
    Right on..I really hope they get in contact with you soon.

    Question and I totally don't mean to offend. But do you think there is any other reason as to why (outside of you being married) that they are not renting to you two? Is hubby of a different race/nationality? Much older than you? It's just so odd that SO MANY of these landlords are giving you the same line: "I dont sell to couples"

    Thats crazy!
    Well, my husband is of mixed race (african american/hispanic) , and he's 7 years older than me BUT funny thing is, none of this information is being revealed in my emails.
    I get so far as mentioning being a married couple and it's automatically a turn-down....no mention of race, age, etc....

    Quote Originally Posted by UltraViolet View Post
    Marana is a bit BFE to work at the club she works at
    Yeah.....we are trying to get out of this area. He works on the south side. We need to be as south as Speedway at least

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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyOne View Post
    FHA usually stands for federal housing administration, but since the abbreviation would be the same its easy to get confused with fair housing... the information about the Fair Housing Act you have is correct, but they unfortunately owners CAN discriminate building is 4 units or less and they live in one of the units. How many apartment units are in the buildings you were looking at?

    Single units. Houses. Not attached to anything!! Here in AZ they have things called "casitas" which are little one bedroom houses. If not casitas, then "cottages" and other small one-bedroom houses are what we have been looking at. There have been some duplexes that are like a "4-plex" and whatnot that we have looked at, but nobody renting those has given us a problem. Only the house renters.

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    Veteran Member NekkoStarz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by UltraViolet View Post
    Marana is a bit BFE to work at the club she works at

    ^^ If she works at the Candy Store... so do I. Well, did before my car accident. I'm going back soon, so yeah! I drive it. My husband also works on 22/Cherry. I understand though with gas prices & all that about wanting to be as close as possible.

    CherryBomb, have you tried just posting an add on Craigslist or in the paper stating something along the lines of "married couple seeks small 1 bedroom apt/house/etc. near speedway for x amount of rent."?? That might help, and then you know everyone who responds is interested in renting to you.

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    Veteran Member NekkoStarz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    OH BTW THREADJACK... are you back already?? I thought you weren't going back till November?

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    Featured Member CherryBomb954's Avatar
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    Default Re: Discrimination and the FHA

    Quote Originally Posted by NekkoStarz View Post
    have you tried just posting an add on Craigslist or in the paper stating something along the lines of "married couple seeks small 1 bedroom apt/house/etc. near speedway for x amount of rent."?? That might help, and then you know everyone who responds is interested in renting to you.
    Many, many times. I was just going to do another one tonight. I've got some responses but people don't seem to pay attention to detail, I keep getting offers from places way far away from where I need to live.

    Quote Originally Posted by NekkoStarz View Post
    OH BTW THREADJACK... are you back already?? I thought you weren't going back till November?
    Not back yet. Gonna be at least a few weeks to a month.

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