Is it easier for married couples to get an apartment?

Familial status is a protected class. You should not be discriminated against because you are not married.

well maybe beeing married does give you an advantage cause knowing that you guys are dating they might think that if you ever break up whos gonna pay, take care of the house.. things like that

I’ve been asked about the relationship while apartment searching. Landlords don’t want screaming couples, or getting stuck with an empty apartment or costly evictions because one half moved out and the other couldn’t pay.

If someone discriminates against you because you are not married, hire a lawyer and make a lot of money. It’s against the law.

Sure, Judi, but just like any other place where discrimination is an issue, they can come up with any number of other “reasons” why.

yeah i agree.. you cant really do anything if they discriminate because you arent married.. its their apartment and they choose if they want to rent it to you… my family used to own some apartments and wow there were some crazy people there.. my dad had to kick some out numerous times because they were too crazy.. dirty etc..

i dont think the issue of being married has anything to do with it.. its the way that people are.. if he and his girlfriend are responsible then i think they can get a good deal on an apartment

I guess I’ve been in the business to long. I see big targets when anyone even mentions the possibility of fair housing violations. If you don’t want to be discriminated against, you have a better chance if you deal with a professional management company who knows the laws than if you deal with a mom and pop who don’t know better.

My experience has shown that here in Canada, there is no quantifiable difference in the ease of obtaining an apartment or house based on one’s marital status.

I would think your history of paying rent on time would be more important than your marital status to a prospective landlord.

@basp;
That was the judgment of those who wrote fair housing law. I have found that fair housing is good business. If I have an objective qualifying criteria that focuses on ability to pay, payment history, and rental history then I open myself up to great residents that one who might discriminate against would miss out on. I also avoid getting suckered into renting to con artists because of some bogus sob story. The objective criteria rules.

I see it this way…married relationships have the potential to be just as unstable/stable as unmarried ones. It really shouldn’t matter.

I’ve never had landlord ask if I’m married or not. I’ve gotten a couple apartments with a boyfriend, and other apartments with a male roommate (no romance) or a female roommate (no romance either), and it went the same way. Of course, this is a college town and lots of people get apartments with lovers or people-who-just-share-rent, and nobody bats an eye. It might depend on where you live.

My landlord thinks my boyfriend and I are married. Tons of people don’t have the same last name these days. We didn’t say anything either way, but any time she talks to either of us, she mentions, “your husband” or “your wife”! Nothing is ever asked about marital status.

Years ago it was a problem. My ex and I had to say we were married to get our first place together. I’m pretty sure very few places these days care one way or the other, law or no law. I’m a landlord, (of the mom and pop variety) and marital status would not influence my decision in the least.

Also, conratulations on taking the big step of moving in together!

The important thing is that you BOTH sign the lease. That way, if something happens in the relationship, neither of you are left holding the proverbial bag.

@Kayak8 . actually, most leases say that you are jointly and severally liable, which means that if the other person skips out the landlord an go after either or both for the entire glance.