Student Housing

[Alexis Scott]

Hello BP family, I have a question regarding student housing and fair housing laws in NC. I am in the process of getting a room rented in a 4 bed 4 bath condo near NC State University. There are currently 3 females living in the condo now and I have a male interested in renting the 4th bedroom. Here is where the question begins, the other girls are not comfortable living with a male, however, the male applicant wants the room and does not mind living with all female roommates. Should I turn down his application for this specific condo because the females refuse to live with a male or will they have to get over it if the male is approved? All the roommates are on separate leases FYI. I look forward to your responses. Thank you, Alexis

[Joe Splitrock]

@Alexis Scott of course the guy has no issue living with all women! I know the new thinking is gender neutral and we are all the same, but men and women are different. I can explain in detail the differences and potential problems, but I am sure you already know. I lived with all females in college, but they chose to live with me so that is different. Forcing a guy into the mix is going to be way worse than any potential fair housing claim. If my daughter was renting from you and was uncomfortable with this male moving in, she would move out and I would take you to court to get our money back. That is a more realistic risk than fair housing. North Carolina is hardly progressive when it comes to gender issues, so I think the courts would support your decision to not rent to the guy. It is no different than students living in dorms. They don't mix male and female in shared units for a reason.