Apartment Rental Discrimination For Mental Illness?

1. chatspla Says

   LL has right to know the source of your income to determine whether you are a good risk to pay during the term of your lease. Tell them that is it social security–which is true–don’t mention disability.
   It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of a disability, but not on the basis of inadequate income, or behavior issues. And some LLs prefer to have employed people as tenants, not to have tenants who are home all day. And some LLs don’t understand the difference between SS Disability, and SSI (which is welfare), and don’t view the payments as your money, but taxpayer money., and unfortunately there are many playing the SSI system..
   Suggest you try a larger building or places managed by a management company, as they are less likely to illegally discriminate. Could play with lady, asking her if she is discriminating against you due to the source of your income or your disability. It is your decision if something will work for you, but her decision (within legal limits) to whom she rents. But do you want to go where you’re not welcome, even though you have a right to do so?

2. mermaid out of water Says

   She wasnt discriminating BECAUSE you have a mental illness. Most landlords dont view unemployment or s.s money as reliable income. Its not discrimination, its them insuring that they get their money.

3. sophieb Says

   Like getting a credit card, rental places (who belong to a rental association) have an amount a person must earn or have coming into their home that meets their requirement. I think credit cards are over $15,000 (used to be) and I know where I live is you must earn over $18,000 to rent here (doesn’t matter if it’s SS or not just so it’s $18,000 plus some people who earn less via SS are here because they are grandfathered in, but if they wish to return they would be rejected if they didn’t earn the required amount). And this has nothing at all to do with discrimination or mental illness.
   It’s not how much you tell the prospective landlord that counts because they do verify what you say.
   There are places that do accept low income or government housing payments. If you don’ t know of these places then you need to look around, and ask at an office that handles those who are disabled. If on disability you are allowed to earn a few dollars but there is a set amount. I suspect though that that wouldn’[t cover what you need. Perhaps you need to find a roommate so they would pay half and you’d pay half and they are employed and decent wage earners. The place where you applied didn’t accept people who were unemployed and accepted only those who could fit in who had income over a certain amount (probably $18,000 or higher).

4. Anonymous Says

   Like Mermaid said–she never actually stated that you were being denied for your illness—-that would be illegal—–she can though–turn you down for your source of income without discrimination—just like I can turn you down if I don’t like your haircut or I think you smell or wear pants that are too tight…As a disabled person you are in a protected class but if Landlords don’t like you -they will never state the real reason -but will bring up something else that isn’t discriminatory… Two things you can do—–talk to your caseworker or ask your care-giver to refer you to an agency that can help you find housing….Their are many program friendly and caring landlords -like myself–its just a matter of finding them….If you feel pigeon holed offering up a mental health excuse—-say that you had a bout of Cancer and are long term disabled.

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