All Forum Posts by: Mark B.

I think this is the answer I'm looking for then.  But then the follow up would be, what do you tell the other qualified people? "The apt has already been rented, but thank you very much for applying and I'll keep you in mind if I have another vacancy?" Do you need to give a reason why they didn't get the apt?

That's one of the reasons I made this thread.  I'm also wondering about a situation where you have two identical tenants. Both identical on paper (credit scores, references, lets even say they are in the same protected groups). 

What do I tell the tenant that doesn't get accepted?  Regardless or tattoo's or not, I like both people, both meet EVERY bit of my criteria, both are friendly. 

I've been reading more about "tenant discrimination" and I feel like any time you deny someone who meets your criteria (I'd like to hope that I will have multiple applicants that meet my criteria), they will threaten to sue you.

I'm also an engineer with tattoo's so I get what you're saying, but you do realize that tattoo's are generally frowned upon (although as stated earlier by people, they are becoming more acceptable). 

i don't think anyone actually said they wouldn't rent to someone with tattoo's.  I started this thread fully expecting people to say that, but looking back, I don't think anyone has said that tattoo's would be a "denied" on their own.  

After reading all of the comments, i do now realize that 100% tattoo's won't matter for my future rentals and it should be criteria based

I'm liking everyone's answers a lot!  I was honestly expecting a lot more in favor of discriminating against tattooed individuals so this is great to hear!

perfect answer! Pretty much sums up what I needed to know

So now I guess I want to ask it slightly differently.  Being that I don't fully know laws around screening tenants, I should be allowed to say no to the Aryan twins for their tattoo's but yes to the police officer with the ankle tattoo (assuming she did have the deposit of course)?

Or do I need to make the rule very clear?  I guess the question (which I will definitely look into further) is that can you discriminate against non protected classes at your choosing or do you have to treat everyone the same?

Other example would be applicant A and B both have credit scores of 800, great jobs, great references, both look perfect on paper.  One has a small nose ring, the other has a large nose ring.  Am I allowed to reject the large nose ring because I personally do not like large nose rings?

but now this is off topic so I think i will just go research it separately!

That's a very good group to discriminate against! Horrible bunch .

not that I didn't know this before, but I think a lot of people judge even at the word tattoo.  There are plenty of doctors/lawyers/engineers with tattoos (not that those professions are always good people...) but the second someone hears tattoo they immediately think gang or thug.  It's interesting to me see the different ways people prescreen their tenants

hahah I think Mike Tyson could "wash" it off those Aryan brothers. 

But I do get your point, and that's why I'm interested to know what people's thoughts are on the subject.  Because yes, people from all walks of life have tattoo's and it doesn't necessarily dictate the type of person they are (although the Aryan twins....).

and I would have to agree @Patrick L. (not sure if the tag will work) because even though shes an officer (and I would feel bad declining an officer), that would go against my financial qualifications (no security deposit)

I do feel I need to add that I don't have any properties yet (looking to get started this year) so this isn't anything I'm currently dealing with or have in the past

@Mike F. - that to me would be hard.  the one on top I'd probably be alright with? the one on the bottom I wouldn't, but that is because I don't want to associate with anyone who literally has "Racist" written on their face.  but then in that case is that discrimination? I'd guess not?

I took a look at the FHL for my area and I don't think it violates anything.

I was taking a look through the "Dumb things tenant applicants say" and then some other threads where people were not a fan of applicants with tattoos.

I personally have tattoos and fully intend to get more in future years so please don't think I am discriminating against tattoo's in general.  Mainly just wondering what other people are thinking about the topic and the legality of it!