Rejected for Tweeting?

Question

I have a great tenant who wanted her brother to move in with her.  He just graduated from high school.  So, I googled him and found his twitter account.  He talked about being drunk and high and used really vulgar and disgusting language.  Normally, I simply don't respond to inquiries from tenants when I find this, but in this case I had to give a reason to his sister for rejecting him.  Do I have any reason to worry that I could get in trouble for this?  Last I heard, vulgar wasn't a protected class, but I've been surprised by what's considered a fair housing violation before.

Steven Rhodes · Answer

I am not an lawyer (and I do not play one on TV ;-)) but I went looking on masslegalhelp.org and found this nugget on Federal public housing:

Federal public housing

If you are applying for federal public housing, a housing authority  must deny your application if it finds that:

• A household member is currently engaged in illegal use of a drug, or the  Housing Authority has reasonable cause to believe a household member's illegal  use of a drug or pattern of illegal use of a drug may threaten the health,  safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.1
• 
• 
• The Housing Authority has reasonable cause to believe that a household  member's abuse or pattern of abuse of alcohol may threaten the health, safety,  or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.2 
 
•  
• Important
• 
• Any member of your household is subject to a lifetime registration  requirement under a state sex offender registration program.4
• 
• 
• Any household member has been convicted of the manufacture or production of  methamphetamine in federally assisted housing.5
• Any household member has been evicted from federally assisted housing for  drug-related criminal activity within the past three  years.6 
 
•  
• Important

Important

In addition to the automatic denials listed above, a housing authority  may deny applicants "whose habits and practices reasonably may  be expected to have a detrimental effect on the residents or the project  environment."8 This means that a housing  authority has wide discretion over whom it allows  into its federal public housing programs. In general, this means a housing  authority will consider your rent-paying history and will look at whether you  have a record of disturbance of neighbors, destruction of property, or  housekeeping habits at prior residences which may adversely affect the health,  safety, or welfare of other tenants.9

My take on all of this: If the Feds can do it then so can you. I would just make sure you can present your side fairly and consult a legal advisor on it before taking action.

Jean Bolger · Answer

I'd say public admission of drug use and general "poor character" should be a valid reason to deny. And especially if he's that young, it could be a good thing if he knows that's why he's not moving in with sis. Might make him rethink some things. It may well just be posturing (I hope...), but the fact that some young men feel they have to take on a vulgar and misogynistic persona to be "cool" is really really sad.

Steve Babiak · Answer

Let's see, public admission of underage drunkeness and drug use. If your rental criteria don't include those yet, what are you waiting for ...

Amy A. · Answer

I bet you weren't stupid enough to post it for public viewing though!  Some of his language was misogynistic and I really don't want to do business with people like that. That's the beauty of working for yourself, you get to choose who you work with!  Since I've become more picky about such things, my stress level when dealing with tenants has gone way down, as have my turnover costs.  Yes, sometimes it takes longer to fill vacancies, but it's worth it.  A few years ago I let some young guys in who posted about using drugs, thinking it was "normal" for the area.  They almost burned the building down!

Matthew Paul · Answer

When I graduated high school I NEVER drank ,NEVER used vulgar language , and I NEVER inhaled ....................LOL      Sounds like a normal guy to me .

Michael Jobe · Answer

Amy A. The underage drinking wouldn't concern me as much as the getting high part. The fact that at 18 years of age you're considered old enough to go to war but not old enough to drink a beer is still mind boggling to me but I digress. As far as the getting high part, are we talking about weed or something hardcore? To me there's a big difference between a joint and a needle filled with heroin when you talk about "getting high."

Now about that vulgar, misogynistic, foul language...well, if you heard the way the majority of teenage boys (and girls, for that matter) talk when their parents & older siblings aren't around you'd be unpleasantly surprised at just how vulgar the conversation can get!

Karen Margrave · Answer

Amy A. I would never have thought about checking someones twitter account. Though it may just be harmless fun he's having, there are kids with serious addictions, and acquaintances you don't want in your property.

I myself have worked with many kids with serious addictions, aand helped them in recovery. When they are ready to change their lives,I will support them 100%. At the same time, you don't owe it to anyone to compromise your property or the safety of other tenants while someone is still using.

There's probably a reason why he's moving in with his sister, and not at his parents. I would let the sister know. It will be a good lesson for the kid that he needs to be more responsible in the way he portrays himself to others, and hopefully open his eyes. .

Account Closed · Answer

I feel sorry for most kids that turn to Social Media for attention because a lot of kid's parents don't care about their kids or let their kids roam the streets late at night getting into  trouble. I think all parents should get to involve with their kids and know where they are going and what they are doing on the Internet. As I see it, most parents have lost touch with their kids.

Joe Gore

Andy Robison · Answer

Sounds like a dumb kid to me.

Rejected for Tweeting?

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