If you were a landlord, would you rent your apartment to a 16 yo boy with 1-2 babies?

Question

pretty soon, in 6 mo., I'm going to be out on my own raising either my little brother/sister or 2 little brothers/sisters (it's a long story i think my moms lying to me about having twins. she hasn't been to the doctor, but just in case). i have a good paying job, and now i'm wondering how hard it will be to find a landlord who will take me seriously. I'm trying to get emancipated, so I'l be on my own with the kid(s). If you were a land lord, would you rent to me? and be honest.

i didn't know what category to put this in, so i just hit ok to the first one they suggested. sorry if it's in the wrong one.

Answer 1

Honey, Ive been reading your questions. I really dont think you can be granted custody at such a young age. 18 is the youngest, and you have to be a sibling, which you are.

In some cases, if you are the parent, you can be emancipated and treated like an adult.

You're going to need to call social services and have all of you placed in foster care, at least until you're old enough to be granted custody.

If your mom will be staying with you, youre going to need to have her work with you to get good housing, and help with child care.

Children under the age of 18 cannot enter into binding contracts, and as such they cannot rent or lease.

If you have other family you can turn to, or someone else who can help you work out the legistics please do so. I know the responsibility will fall on your shoulders for your siblings, but some things HAVE to be done by an adult.

Answer 2

You must be emancipated, if you are able to do that. Some will simply require a full deposit. It is illegal for landlords to discriminate. Unless it is a 55 plus community the kids can not affect your ability to rent, however credit, history, amount of people allowed to reside in structure.
There usually are requirements about boys having own rooms/ girls having own rooms. In which you would not be able to share a room. The landlords should know state and county laws on that.
You will have to get it ordered by the courts, for your siblings to live with you.
Otherwise, someone will eventually call social services and they would be removed from the home. You do not want social services involved as it will be very difficult to keep your siblings then. Although a judge may order you to have home inspection, and other requirements.

Answer 3

It certainly would be a difficult decision to make. Before saying yes, I'd want to speak with your manager about what kind of employee you are, and probably some of your teachers as references, as well. In a money making endeavor, it would be much easier to choose the married couple instead of you...but it would warm my heart to be able to help you, if I could.

I must commend you for being willing to raise your siblings...It's not every kid who would be willing to do this. I hope your mother understands what a good kid you are, and tells you how proud she is of you.

Just so that you know, you have options. First of all, please be aware that your mother is abusing her baby, if she continues her pregnancy without seeing a doctor...You should do everything you can to encourage her to see someone right away, and regularly during the pregnancy. If she doesn't, you might consider raising a flag with your local health department, to ensure that the baby/babies are healthy. Second, there are agencies out there who can help you and the new baby to find homes where you don't have to be the grown up...It's very honorable of you to take this responsibility, but you don't have to...it's okay for you to finish being a kid before you start being a grown up. Again, this is just so you know...not to push you into making a decision you're not comfortable with.

And to clarify - an emancipated minor has ALL of the same rights and responsibilities as an 18-year old. That's the very definition of an emancipated minor. When I did it, it was actually very easy...I filled out three forms, and spent 15 minutes in the court room. In truth, it was probably easier for me that it would be for you, because I was about 7 months pregnant at the time. One thing that is a bit of a concern for me, that I have recognized as I type this...Requesting emancipation in order to raise your mother's other child/ren is likely to bring Childrens' Services into your mother's house, and send you and your sibling(s) into foster homes.

Best of luck!

Answer 4

I dont' think you can do a contract until your 18years old.. check when you get emancipated if you are allowed to do so and then make sure you have the paperwork with you when you apply for an apartment. However, you can't even rent a hotel room until your 21.. you better check to see if you would even be able to rent one even with a good job, they will do a credit check on you and you probably dont' have any credit! You might check with a local church and see if they have a housing solution for you instead.

Answer 5

I AM an apt manager, we have very strict guidelines to QUALIFY. #1 you must make 3times the rent. #2 you have to have good credit. We also look at past rental history, and how long you have been on your job. Being that you are underage would really depend on what the answers to all the other questions are. Regardless of how many children you would be supporting, the guidelines are put in place to avoid having to evict people who cannot or do not pay rent.

Answer 6

Wow, your mother sounds like a real prize. Not only has she not been to the doctor and it literally GUESSING about having twins, but she is putting the responsibility of rasing them solely on her 16-year-old son??? I don't get it. You must be a really mature person to be able to handle all of this on your own.

If I were you, I would start apartment-hunting NOW, way before the kid(s) are born. You don't have to disclose all your personal information to the landlord, including the fact that you'll be taking on your siblings eventually. For all they know, by the time that happens, it will be a spur-of-the-moment thing and not at all planned. So just work on getting a place and sign that lease. If you have trouble because of your age or lack of a credit history, try to get a relative (or the parent of a friend) to co-sign for you. I wish you lots of luck.

Answer 7

Check with your local social services agency for housing help. If you can't get a landlord to rent to you (which, to be honest, I doubt), they might be able to make some suggestions. You also might have to be prepared for the baby(ies) to be taken from your mom when they are born... I know you said a long story... but, chances are that they will not release the children to you, unless you have some proof of custody, which I am not sure how to get if you are 16.

Answer 8

First, I admire your responsibility - both in being able to support yourself, and in your willingness to care for your infant siblings.

When I first started reading your question, my initial gut response was "No, I wouldn't rent to a 16 YO with babies" - primarily because a 16 YO is legally still a child.

However, since you are (will be) emancipated, and will be legally responsible for yourself, and because you have a job, I'd take a risk and rent to you.

Not being in the landlord business, I don't know what you are and are not legally allowed to ask, but as a landlord, I'd definitely be curious as to what your child care plans were while you were working.

Answer 9

I'd be VERY hesitant. But you are doing an honorable thing. I'd like to think that if I had a young emancipated adult in front of me who seemed mature, could afford the rent, and explained the situation to me in a calm and rational matter, that I could feel compelled to give him a chance.

It will not be easy for you. I wish you all the best.

Answer 10

If you get emancipated they have to treat you as a grown adult. It wont be hard to find someone to take you seriously if you get emancipated,but finding someone to rent to you may be a little more difficult, they will ask for double deposits ect.. I think you will be ok and I would also suggest going to county offices and getting referrals for housing ect to help you out.