We are looking for a new roommate in our house, and this is the first time any of us will be choosing a stranger to move in. Are there any questions that are considered illegal to ask someone? We are aware of the Fair Housing Act in regards to what you can post in an ad, but not sure how it applies to questions. My boyfriend is really worried that even the "usual" questions, like habits and likes/dislikes is off limits.
2007-06-06 20:53:06 · 6 answers · asked by FlagGirl 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
You can legally ask them anything you want. If they are living WITH you, you have every right to know about them. The laws apply to ads, not personal conversations.
2007-06-06 20:56:06 · answer #1 · answered by sakotgrimes 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't worry so much about the questions being illegal. I don't think there are illegal questions. I'd worry about uncomfortable questions: they are also picking you, not only you're picking them. There are prying questions (i.e. stuff that's not your business and won't affect you in any way) and there are normal questions.
Usual habits and likes/dislikes are all reasonable questions. You need to know, after all, if they wash their dishes or they dump them in the sink. You also need to know if they like to play loud music, or they can't stand the sound of a TV in the living room. What about cooking? What about partying? How would they like to share the cleaning of the common areas?
But questions like "Why did you divorce?" would be irrelevant and prying.
In the course of conversation try to get a feel of how much they'd want to socialize with you.
Watch out for red flags. Ask why are they moving. Ask how long did they live in the prevoius place. If you feel suspicious ask them if they can provide a reference. Ask what is their occupation. It will give you some kind of idea what the person is like and what is their schedule might be like. Flight attendant would be a completely different kind of tenant (never there) from a work-from-home person (always at home).
2007-06-06 21:01:32 · answer #2 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can ask anything you want. The Fair Housing Act allows someone renting out a part of their own residence to discriminate, but they still can't advertise their preferences.
2007-06-06 21:05:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your the Boss who hires an employee. Let them know your Rules, so they can do the same. NO lawz on being str8 up. Bein real is the best way to express. If u dont feel great, u dont need to act like you do. Let em know this is the first time your hiring a roomate. so they can treat it easy. You wash your dish, and they wash theirs. Eye for an Eye. haha
2007-06-06 21:25:17 · answer #4 · answered by L.I.T. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just stick with ethical questions, if you go out of context (like if they sleep around, bad example but it's an example lol). Just ask the questions to get to know them personality wise.
2007-06-06 21:01:24 · answer #5 · answered by ~carmie~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fair housing act does not apply unless you are in the business...ask away, get references etc.
2007-06-06 22:16:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋