Experience with renting to Foster homes?

Question

Hi.   My property manager received an inquiry from a prospective tenant who wants to rent our SFH for foster children (2 per room).  I am compiling a list of questions and concerns, but wanted to see if anyone in the BP community has had experience with this sort of thing.    Thanks!

Tracy Streich · Answer

If they are using the home as a group home that is a totally different issue.  If is simply a couple looking to foster children the discussion should be over.  It is clearly a violation of fair housing laws to discriminate based on familial status.  It even specifically mentions foster and adoptive children.  Especially comments about special children causing extensive damages.  In fact as I type this now I find it a bit offensive that was even said.  Not sure how they do it in Canada but that is blatantly discrimination based on HUD guidelines

Account Closed · Answer

I think you need to be sure you're not discriminating based on familial status.  I'm not sure if this would be under a different classification for some reason, but just be sure.  If you're paying your PM to manage your property, I think you should put the responsibility back on them - ask them if denying them would be discrimination, and get it in writing from your PM.  They may be hoping to get you to deny, and blame you if they sue.

Ron Flatt · Answer

If i can shed a little light here.  My mother kept foster children for a number of years.  I also was a teacher at a school where we had several foster families.

Not meaning to be disparaging, but the kids did seem more destructive that than others.  Not all, but a higher than usual percentage.  If I had a better qualified tenant, I would definitely pick an equally qualified tenant offer a foster family.

just my opinion

Lynne Smith · Answer

Thank you for the feedback!

Thomas S. · Answer

Save yourself the trouble and simply pass. There is no reason to complicate your business by having to rent to a higher risk tenant than necessary.

Foster families can be very unstable and will often have "special children" that may cause extensive damage to the property.

Unless you are interested in dedicating your business to taking in charity cases just keep looking for regular tenants with less complicated life situations.

Claudia R. · Answer

@Lynne Smith I don't have experience with renting for foster children - but do know quite a bit about the foster system so I'm going to throw some questions out that you may want to find out about which could potentially impact things.

1 - Is this a group home or is this a family who has and frequently accepts short term foster kids? (short term vs. long term are very different. Short term as you may imagine are emergency situations usually resolved within 3 months - until they find a next of kin, etc. the court moves quickly on these, unlike the others).

2 - Is income used for rent going to be used to qualify for rent? Foster parents receive income to care for room and board of children, this could potentially impact.

3- There is a limit on how many children can be in a room (yes no more than two) but also same sex. There is also a house inspection to pass (which mainly deals with where they store knifes, meds, alcohol, etc.) but if any of the children are handicapped, does the home have to be accessible?

Those were the ones that initially came to mind might be more pressing for you to know as a landlord.

I also think the potential tenant may know that the foster kids they take may have potential behavioral issues - many don't and are fine - but many also do in which I would make sure your lease is comprehensive in who pays for "holes in the walls" and crayon marks, etc.

Zachary H. · Answer

Will it be a regular family that has several foster children or will it be a childrens home that has several different "guardians" that stay in the house interchangeably?

If it's a regular family, I wouldn't see any issues. If it's a children's home, I would be interested to see how it plays out and also if anyone else has experience in this. Sounds like a great opportunity!

We had foster kids that lived with us and they were a joy to have living with us.

-Zac

Experience with renting to Foster homes?

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