Student Housing Only?

Question

Hi everyone,

Quick question on the topic of Student Housing. I have a duplex across the street from a college campus. It also happens to be a lower income area in general so I would actually prefer to rent to students. Is it discrimination to advertise it as student housing only? If someone were to ask is it only available to students I am not sure if I am allowed to say yes or even just by posting it online for rent to students if it is discrimination against non-students. I have read that it is not a protected class but I was not sure if it was somehow was discriminatory. Thanks!

Nathan Gesner · Answer

@Kyle A. instead of renting the entire house at one price, advertise a price per bedroom. That should increase the overall price enough to price out anyone looking at it as a single family residence.

Example: 4bed/2bath normally rents for $1,500. By renting it at a rate of $500 per room, the price becomes $2,000 a month which makes it too expensive for your average renter.

Jaysen Medhurst · Answer

@Kyle A., you definitely want to double-check with a local attorney. You are right that students aren't a protected class, but that's not actually the issue. The problem is if someone other than a student wants to rent. If you say "no," you may be running afoul of fair-housing law. If I were you, I would not say the apartment is "student-only."

You have to evaluate each potential tenant on the same criteria. You set the criteria (credit score, income requirements, no evictions, etc.), but they obviously can't be discriminatory.

I think you can say, "Close to Campus," "Great for Students!" or something similar in the ad.

Tre Holland · Answer

If your property is that close to the campus do you know if the better portion of the local tenant pool is students? If so, I would refrain from advertising as student only because you have a better likelihood of getting a student already. I do know discrimination can get a bit touchy legally. So my suggestion is, if you have any doubts your best bet is to seek an RE Attorney/Lawyer. Better to be safe then sorry in my opinion.

Justin R. · Answer

@Kyle A. This area (student housing) is one of my niches. I've never had to market each room to random tenants. Once I rent out a room to one Tennant, they ALWAYS bring in the other tenants, usually friends or frat/sorority members.

This also creates an ongoing rotation and eliminates vacancy. One roommates graduates, and they other three find another friend.

Kyle A. · Answer

Hi Nathan - yes I do rent by the room. Another example of why I prefer to rent to students. I just don't know if I'm allowed to say I will ONLY rent to students.

I can check with a lawyer but I was just curious if anyone who rents to students knew off-hand. I don't want to discriminate but since I rent by the room I don't think it would be right to have a mother and her child living with some 18 year old party guys or a creepy old man living with some younger girls. But I will follow all laws if that is what is required. Thanks

Theresa Harris · Answer

I agree with Nathan.  Plus by renting it by the room, if one leaves; you still have some rent coming in.  You can also include cleaning for the common areas (every 2 weeks?) which would up the rent a bit, make sure the place is kept clean and the cleaning person will be another set of eyes to alert you to any potential problems.

Student Housing Only?

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