Am I Being Discriminated Against?

Question

So I'm a house-hacker that is actively offering on a second investment property. I have a bit of land lording experience under my belt, but still have yet to go through any real problems. I've got a tenant in place, and while I still don't know what I don't know, have attempted to educate myself over the past year pretty thoroughly on the ins and outs of real estate investing.

Yesterday, I attempted to rent out a house in a ski-resort town near Denver for a weekend with some friends. The home was advertised on Airbnb, I met the qualifications for the number of guests advertised (10) and submitted my money.

However, the lady then told me this:

I think we are going to have to pass on renting to you in February. My parents are really new to this, but just don't feel comfortable with such a large group at this point. Its really set up more for 1-2 families than for a large group of friends.

They didn't specify families in the ad - and my group was clearly within the advertised number of guests. I believe that the reason I was turned down was, "You are a kid, and you are bringing other 25 year olds to our nice place and will trash it. We don't want you." To me, that seems unfair (and illegal?).

Anyways, I'm not the kind to go after this person, just wanted to vent and hear what others had to say about the issue. Is this allowable, fair, reasonable, or what?

Troy Fisher · Answer

Did you use @Joshua Dorkin as a reference?  That's probably why you were discriminated against.  ;)  Shoulda used @Brandon Turner instead.

Ross G. · Answer

Would you want to rent your nice mountain house to a group of 25 year olds?  I wouldn't.   So yeah,  probably being discriminated against,  but I wouldn't get too upset about it.   Just find another place.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Age is not a federally protected class. I do not think it is on the state level in Colorado either. So discrimination. .yes.....illegal...no.

Dana Dunford · Answer

@Scott Trench -- Here is my comments, based on the age argument:

• Age is not a protected class under Federal Fair Housing. In some states (for example, California) age is a protected class. You'll want to check in Colorado if that's a protected class. I don't think Colorado has age as a protected class, but you'll want to double confirm. If it's not a protected class in Colorado, then you can't call it discrimination according to law.

Hope that helps! Btw -- I'm turning 30 today, so I'll take 25 over 30 any day :).

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

@Scott Trench  I would think daily or weekly rentals all have the  ( we can refuse service to anyone rules)

But househacking which I think means live in one of your 4 units when you own a 4 plex

is a super idea for those getting started and I think its even better that you can then legally discriminate in picking your tenants.. great way to get started and be uber careful who you rent to since your living next to them.

MJ Barnett · Answer

unfortunately the fact they are renting their home & not a unit within a 4 plex or larger they have the right to discriminate. Unless AirBnb has regulations.

Travis Sperr · Answer

I see both sides of this. I have booked trips just like this in the mountains for friends through property management companies so there is no measure of who is coming. But in the new peer to peer world we live in that is highly unregulated, we see this happen. Although it sucks and is unfair to make an assumption on what the people will do while in the house, you have to move on. The people renting the place aren't prepared to be in the "business" of renting their place out so they make decisions that feel comfortable - right or wrong.

Recent news stories of houses getting wrecked on Air B&B do not help your cause.

Blair Russell · Answer

It takes years for people to really get comfortable renting out their vacation property, no matter how much you tell yourself it's a business it always feels personal. To be honest it's very normal for people to consider who they will and will not rent to on Airbnb. I'm 25 too, so I understand, but you really just want to think about how you're presenting yourself.  Saying "we're responsible" and "not partiers" is not going to cut it. And be honest with yourself too, will your 9 friends really treat the place with the utmost respect? People have very different ideas at this age about what is clean and respectable, especially people who don't own.  Do you really want your reviews on Airbnb to be based on their actions?

John M. · Answer

Scott, as one of the other posters mentioned. If you owned such a property would you rent it to You and Your 25 year old friends or to two married couples with a 3 or 4 kids?

It's not personal my friend, it's just business. Good Luck finding another place.

Am I Being Discriminated Against?

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