Questions Landlords Cannot Ask Rental Applicants

Introduction

Landlords often face uncertainty when selecting tenants for residential rentals, sometimes feeling like they're leaving the outcome to chance. However, by asking the right questions on a rental application and being aware of what inquiries are legally off-limits, the tenant screening process can be made more streamlined and compliant.

It's crucial to note that while federal law restricts certain questions, additional prohibitions exist at the state and local levels. Landlords need to be mindful of these regulations and should avoid including specific types of questions on rental applications. This applies to both written applications and verbal interviews. Even in casual conversations, landlords should refrain from pursuing certain lines of inquiry to ensure they remain within the bounds of the law.

What Questions Can Landlords Not Ask on a Rental Application?

Rental applications play a vital role in tenant screening, but it's equally crucial for landlords to uphold their legal responsibilities by steering clear of the following types of questions in these applications:

1. Questions About Race, Nationality, and Language

Federal law, through the Fair Housing Act (FHA), prohibits questions related to race, nationality, or language on rental applications. The FHA, established in 1968, is designed to prevent housing discrimination in all its forms. Landlords should refrain from asking about an applicant's place of birth, nationality, language spoken, or family origins.

2. Questions About Religion

Religious questions on rental applications are illegal. Landlords should not inquire about an applicant's religious beliefs, places of worship, or interests in local religious institutions. Displaying religious symbols within rental units can also pose legal issues if a pattern of religious discrimination is established.

3. Questions About Age

Age-based discrimination is not permitted when selecting tenants, except when applicants are unable to enter into a legally binding lease agreement due to their age. The age of majority varies by state, with 18 being the norm. However, it's crucial to align with specific state regulations, such as those in Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi, where the age of majority differs. Minors are typically required to have a co-signer.

4. Questions About Physical or Mental Disabilities

Queries about physical or mental disabilities are off-limits. This includes questions regarding service animals, which are subject to specific criteria for reasonable accommodation if applicants require them.

5. Questions About Family Status

While landlords can limit the number of occupants in a unit for health and safety reasons, discrimination based on family status is prohibited. Property owners should not differentiate between potential occupants based on their relationships. However, requesting separate credit applications for individuals above 18 years old is permissible.

6. Questions About Sexual Orientation

While federal law does not explicitly forbid inquiries related to sexual orientation, it's important to note that several states have established their fair housing laws, which explicitly make such questions illegal. Here are some examples of states that have enacted these statutes:

1. California
2. Connecticut
3. Hawaii
4. Maryland
5. Massachusetts
6. Minnesota
7. New Hampshire
8. New Jersey
9. New Mexico
10. Rhode Island
11. Vermont
12. Wisconsin

Moreover, even in areas where it's not yet illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation, many landlords opt to steer clear of these questions on their rental applications. It's prudent for property owners to refrain from including sexual orientation-related queries during the interview process as well, fostering a more inclusive and non-discriminatory tenant selection process.

7. Questions About Public Assistance

Landlords can assess applicants' income to ensure they meet financial guidelines, but they should avoid specific inquiries about government assistance. It's not the landlord's business if an applicant, despite being employed, receives childcare assistance or SNAP benefits, for instance.

8. Questions About Arrests

Many states allow rental applications to include questions about criminal convictions but not about prior arrests, as arrests do not necessarily indicate guilt. Certain jurisdictions, such as Seattle and Oregon, have enacted ordinances and laws to further restrict landlords from denying housing based on criminal history.

By being aware of these legal limitations on rental application questions, landlords can maintain compliance with fair housing laws, promote inclusivity, and avoid potential legal issues.

Legal and Appropriate Questions for Rental Applications

Navigating the rental application process can be complex, as landlords must strike a balance between gathering essential information and adhering to fair housing laws. It's important to remember that federal regulations provide a baseline for rental applications, but landlords should also consider local laws, which can vary.

One misstep can lead to legal complications and financial penalties. When constructing a rental application or engaging in tenant interviews, it's prudent to ask pertinent questions that assess an applicant's financial stability and ability to meet their rent obligations.

Landlords are legally permitted to ask questions that pertain to a tenant's financial situation, including:

1. Source of Income: Inquire about the applicant's source of income to gauge their financial stability.
2. Monthly Income: Request information on their monthly income to ensure it aligns with the rent requirements.
3. Security Deposit: Ask whether they have the financial means to provide a security deposit.

However, it's essential to remain compliant with federal and state discrimination laws. Federal law prohibits questions related to national origin, race, sex, familial status, religion, and disabilities. In California landlords must adhere to even more stringent guidelines, refraining from questions about color, race, sex, religion, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, national origin, familial status, genetic information, or disability.

By asking questions within the bounds of the law, landlords can effectively assess a tenant's financial suitability while promoting fair and nondiscriminatory tenant selection processes.

The Top Choice for Real Estate: BoloForms

BoloForms is a comprehensive digital signature platform tailored to the specific demands of the real estate industry. It empowers residential and commercial agents, brokers, escrow companies, property managers, REITs, homebuilders, and developers to seamlessly manage their contract workflows.

At its core, BoloForms equips you with three pivotal functions:

1. Digital Signature Creation: Whether you prefer drawing, typing, or uploading your signature, BoloForms offers versatile options to create your digital signature.
2. Efficient Document Editing: Easily complete form fields and digitally sign your documents using the integrated editor.
3. Streamlined Document Sharing: Send your documents to involved parties, initiating signature requests with utmost ease.

These essential features serve as the cornerstone of BoloForms, enabling you to efficiently sign and process a myriad of real estate forms, contracts, documents, and agreements. Moreover, BoloForms offers additional features specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the real estate industry.

One standout feature is the availability of pre-made templates, which not only save you valuable time but also provide essential legal protection. These contract templates have undergone thorough scrutiny by legal experts to ensure compliance and reliability. Furthermore, these templates can be effortlessly customized and personalized to suit your specific requirements. Once signed, these contracts are legally binding, offering you the peace of mind and legal security you need in real estate transactions.

BoloForms offers a diverse range of real estate templates that cater to your specific needs, including:

1. Lease Amendment
2. Property management agreement
3. Month-to-month rental agreement
4. Short-Term Rental Agreement
5. Sublease agreement
6. Late Rent Notice
7. Commercial Lease Agreement Addendum
8. Commercial Lease Agreement Template
9. Commercial Lease Application Form

These templates are meticulously designed to simplify and expedite the document creation and signing process.

Conclusion

Legal Templates offer a valuable resource for landlords to craft customized rental applications that focus on assessing financial stability, steering clear of questions that could potentially lead to legal complications. It's essential to bear in mind that asking the wrong questions during the application process can result in costly legal issues and financial losses for property owners.

To safeguard your investment and streamline the tenant selection process, consider using our step-by-step builder to create a residential rental application that prioritizes your protection and the protection of your assets.

FAQs

What is the Fair Housing Act (FHA), and how does it affect rental applications?

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) is a federal law established in 1968 to prevent housing discrimination in all forms, including rentals and sales. It prohibits landlords from asking certain questions related to race, nationality, religion, age, disabilities, family status, sexual orientation, and more. Violating the FHA can result in legal repercussions and fines.

Are state laws regarding rental applications different from federal laws?

Yes, state laws regarding rental applications can vary from federal laws. Some states have additional protections and prohibitions, making it essential for landlords to be aware of and comply with both federal and state regulations. For example, California has stricter guidelines that go beyond federal protections.

Can landlords ask about an applicant's source of income on a rental application?

Yes, landlords can inquire about an applicant's source of income to assess their financial stability and ability to pay rent. This question is legally permissible and essential for landlords to determine a tenant's financial suitability.

What is the importance of using templates for rental applications?

Using templates for rental applications offers several advantages. These templates are pre-made and legally vetted to ensure compliance with fair housing laws. They save landlords time, provide legal protection, and offer customizable options to meet specific requirements. Once signed, these templates create legally binding agreements, offering peace of mind and legal security.