Rejecting Law Students

[Brian McCarter]

Hey everyone. So I am trying to determine if it's still legal to automatically reject lawyers and law students on that basis alone?  I am in Massachusetts. 

It's a new rental season and I like to brush up on my knowledge of the law in out very landlord unfriendly state. 

[Account Closed]

I loved law students!  I'd have no problem renting to a lawyer either.  Law students do nothing but study.  The worst thing they ever do is forget to pay the rent with the check they already wrote out and is still on their table because they're exhausted lol.  I used to just send a mass text to everyone on the 4th saying if rent isn't paid by tomorrow, it will be late.  They always thanked me for the reminder.

I literally targeted first year law students for the building I managed.  They have the money for rent, are very quiet, and usually stay at least 3 years.  They're ideal.  In fact, go talk to the housing director for all the law schools in your area, and ask them if you can advertise your rentals to their students.  I did that, and it got to the point I rarely had to advertise on Craigslist anymore.

As far as lawyers go, they know the law.  And if you also know the law, they can't bluff you.  Plus, they can get into big trouble with the bar if they behave unethically or file frivolous law suits.  I'd much rather deal with a tenant who understands the law, and doesn't take me to court thinking they'll win because it wasn't fair that they couldn't pay rent late, or whatever.

The worst thing a lawyer could do is try to bluff you or intimidate you simply by the fact that they're a lawyer.  So, you just say, "Are you sure you want to file a frivolous lawsuit that I could report to the bar?  Let's talk about the law. The law wins in court, and you know it.  You won't be able to bluff a judge and I know it.  So, shall we move on here, and keep a good relationship?" 

As long as you aren't trying to pull any funny stuff yourself, I think a lawyer would make a great tenant.  They'll probably be trying to negotiate things on a regular basis, but that's not a bad thing in itself.  In my opinion, anyway.