housing discrimination?

Question

we have been looking for a new apartment and it seems like most of them will not let my husband, son and I move in because of a felony charge my husband has. its been years ago and its not even a violent/sexual felony charge he has...cant this be considered discrimination, since all housing here is equal opportunity housing?

Answer 1

Look for a small house being rented by a private individual who might not be as prone to check, or be so picky.

Answer 2

I currently rent an actual home rather than an apartment, and the owner's property manager did look at our credit rating and background checks as well, so you can't always trust that private home owners won't do that.

If you have good credit standing, and depending on the felony, you could just try talking it out with the apartment managers or property owners. Reason with them, explain that it was all in the past, things have changed...use your current standing with your current apartment manager or other references as leverage.

My mom had this problem when moving from her house to an apartment, but not the felony, it was a credit issue. She has crappy credit, but had been living in a house which she was paying MORE for than what her rent would have been at an apartment she really wanted. I advised her to go back and talk to the owners, reason with them about what she was paying then, and what the rent was (easily handled, it was about half what the house payment was)...and the reasoning worked, he let her rent the apartment.

You never know where you can get unless you TALK to people. Communication opens a LOT of doors.

Answer 3

Nope, a felony is not applicable under Federal Fair Housing guidelines. Apartment communities and private landlors have the right to deny you housing based on criminal activity.

This is very common practice. Most apartment communities will not let you lease if you have a felony; it's an automatic denial. Most apartment communities look back at least 7 - 10 years on criminal history. Not only does it protect the property, it protects the residents of the community. Most apartment communities also will deny anyone who has a misdemeanor on charges from sexual offenses, damage to property or personal belongings, and drug charges.

Answer 4

Felons are not protected class in any state. It does not appear in credit history either. I have an investment client that rents his home and for $35 per applicant, I have an agency that I hire that runs everything for that applicant, including but not limited to credit history, criminal background, lease history, child support, devorce and immigration status.

Interestingly enough, a tenant can sue the apartment manager or can get out of their lease agreement if their reason is: they feel they are not safe in the complex because they have a felon neighbor. How will they know? felony is a public record and if they are purposely looking, they will find out.

My advise, look for a private landlord and apply for a lease.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Sorry, but felons are not a protected class when it comes to housing discrimination. Landlords have every right to reject a housing applicant based upon a past criminal history.

Your best bet is to look for housing with a smaller more personal management, and then be prepared to 'plead your case'. Do your best to bring references for your husband from his place of work and other job related contacts. It's going to fall upon your husband to convince a prospective landlord that he is a good prospect as a tenant.

Answer 6

Having a felony is not a category of discrimination. Today it is illegal to discriminate against a prospective tenant or an in-place tenant based on his/her race, national origin, color, gender, disability, and familial status. In California, it is also illegal to discriminate based on a person's sexual orientation, source of income, age, marital status or any other arbitrary reason. Discriminating against Felons is perfectly legal and often encouraged in many places.

Sorry.

Answer 7

It's not only NOT discrimination, landlords have been long supported with case law to maintain their right to not rent to convicted felons.

I am one of those landlords that will not rent to a felon.

If you read the equal housing opportunity act at www.hud.gov, nowhere in there does it say that criminals are a legally protected class.

That is the long-term price that people pay for breaking the law...it makes life hard.

Answer 8

Is the owner living as much as the words of the employ which you signed with him. Is the residence stored up the furnace and plumbing working. The contract which you have with the owner is what you're able to ought to take to courtroom in case you filed discrimination against him. The contract that the owner has alongside with your neighbor has no longer something to do with you. in case you agreed to no canines then no canines . Did you tell the owner beforehand with reference to the ailment and which you mandatory further time, Utilities properly what's on your employ is on your employ and what's on your pals employ is the enterprise of the owner and them. in case you experience you're being discriminated against then you definately ought to attempt to renovate the employ to words which you experience are honest

Answer 9

Nowadays A felony conviction does NOT make one a criminal in a realistic sense, ie; (child support, dui, for examples) the judicial system labels them as felonious convicts.
Realistically, one is a financial obligation, the other is a traffic offense.

Answer 10

How do they see a felony on a credit report?