Question

[lady_karelia]

I know there are a lot of clever people on my f-list, and a lot of you are here in the US. My question is: Can something be done when someone refuses to rent out an apartment on the basis that one family member does not have a social security number? I'm raging right now, as this kind of stance puts me on the same level as illegal immigrants. Now, we're neither here illegally nor are we immigrants. And seriously, do they expect the holder of a professional work visa with a gazillion qualification to sleep in the park under the tree???

Comments

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

I can't speak on the legal particulars, but I would think something could be done, have you consulted a lawyer?

I know foreign students don't seem to have any trouble renting, we've had a few as tenants with no issues at all.

[lady-rhian.livejournal.com]

That is an excellent question. So I take it the person *does* have a professional work visa? Do they have any other form of serious identification, i.e. birth certificate, bank statement that the landlord would accept? (If not born in the US, that could be difficult.) Alternately, would an employer be willing to vouch for them? The part that is strange to me is that this is real estate, not banking/credit card/passport etc. -- you don't exactly need a SS# to rent an apartment. Also, that it is only one member of a family moving in. Are there other adults, because if so, that seems extremely strict. I'm so sorry for the trouble you're having -- landlords can be a bitch to deal with. I hope you find someone reasonable to work with.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

I remember someone somewhere way back posting links to different sites dealing with state's tenant/landlord laws. Since you are not a tenant yet, I'm not sure if this would require something different. But state laws vary to the degree to which it favors the landlord over the tenant. Here a place to get you started and hopefully find an answer:

http://www.federal-services.com/laws/tnstatelaw.html

http://www.uslandlord.com/laws/tn.html

[southernwitch69.livejournal.com]

I think it's wrong what they are doing. I mean, it seems that as long as one has an ss number that should be fine. WTF

Good luck.

I'd just go back to the first one again and have their incompetent arses do the job (better than these mofos).

[voxangelus.livejournal.com]

The landlord doesn't want to get busted for housing illegal immigrants, so it's probably a blanket policy. There should be some recourse because you DO have the proper documentation. You should be able to get a copy of the landlord-tenant laws for your state on their website.

[a-bees-buzz.livejournal.com]

It is illegal for anyone outside the government, your employer, or your bank to require a social security number for any reason. Try it: next time someone legitimate asks for your ss#, say you'd rather not give it out - they'll accept another form of identification every time. A renter who requires an ss# is breaking the law.

How do I know? Well, remember that non-American husband of mine? There's a loooooong story there.

[ariadne1.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about landlord/tenant laws, but I'm adding my voice to the chorus of WTF and sympathy...

[irishredlass69.livejournal.com]

Lady they are requesting the SS# to perform a credit evaluation, as you and your husband are married it is common for this to be done jointly. However, as you are not, I am assuming, a citizen of the US it is acceptable you would not have a SS Card and they should accept alternative government issued identification which you posses as your husbands spouse. This can be fought but, would be rather time consuming. My recommendation is to rent elsewhere and then pursue legal channels. This is a case of discrimination and, unfortunately, I suspect it is due more to your husbands ethnic origins than your own. He is the one that appears "ethnic" and this country, unfortunately is still quite biggotted and even more so since the tragedy of 9/11. Good Luck.

[mundungus42.livejournal.com]

That's beyond absurd. There have been a number of protectionist townships passing laws that ban landlords from renting to people in this country illegally, which you and your husband are CLEARLY not, but to a lot of ignorant people, a SSN is essentially proof that you're supposed to be here. I do hope you're able to snap a picture of the refuser's face when you and/or your lawyer delivers him/her proof that he/she is breaking the law. *hugs you* I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.

[teshara.livejournal.com]

I'd call HUD honestly.
I believe they're supposed to have alternate tracking numbers for you, but I don't know.
My ex husband is here illegally and he rents legally so I know you can do it.

[m-mcgonagall-65.livejournal.com]

I can't help you with the legal particulars, but I will add my voice of indignation for the apartment complex and encouragement for you and your family. *sends hugs*

[notsosaintly.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a racial thing to me. All that you need to show are his work visa, his SSN, and your visa.

I was going to say he should sign the apartment under ONLY his name. He's got an SSN, so they'd do all the paperwork in his name and should not ask for yours at all. Too late for this apartment of course.

But if it's a racist thing ... what, they don't want camels in the parking lot? *snort* We deal with the same fucking bull-shit. It's how my husband lost his job way back when--when some white-ass mofo decided to report my husband as a terrorist to Homeland Security. (Yes, my ass is white too, but my heart is colorless.)

[rosedemon.livejournal.com]

I am not sure they cannot. Depends on whether or not the apartment is attached to their house or joins their living quarters. I think it is at that point that Federal Laws fall to the side of the road. Idea being you are sharing space with the tenant and there by you can pick and choose.

However, if the apartment is part of a large complex, that may be another matter. It could be part of rental policy, although I don't understand why a work visa, passport or any other form of ID would not qualify. Hell, SS numbers are the easiest thing in the world to fake. No picture on them. I would think a Visa or a passport would do much better.

We own four houses, three of which we rent out. We have asked for Driver's Licenses as a form of ID and have called places of employment. I don't remember ever getting a ss number.

[apythia.livejournal.com]

My friend is an immigration lawyer. While you are not an immigrant, but she deals with this all the time. She brings nurses over and finds them housing and jobs.