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

[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.

[notsosaintly.livejournal.com]

In California, things are separate. They can't ask for a wife's SSN to do a credit check if the apartment is going to be under the husband's name. In the state where I'm originally from (Wisconsin), things are joint, and they can. So check what the law is in that area.

And, lack of SSN means you have no credit rating. That's all. He'd go strictly by your husband's.

[irishredlass69.livejournal.com]

That is entirely true, as I am now a resident of Wisconsin and Washington (my home state) has the same practice this is what I tend to think is universal (my short sighted-ness). Indeed check the state laws!

[notsosaintly.livejournal.com]

You now live in Wisconsin? You poor, poor, poor dear.

I escaped when I was 23. And do you know why? I was sick of getting stuck in a parallel parking space after the plow went through (especially when you parked in front of a bunch of old-folks homes), shoveling, freezing snot, more shoveling, rocking your car back and forth when you got stuck, putting on a damn winter coat and mittens and a hat and a scarf just to go out to get the mail.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir after this last winter.

(key word: escaped!)

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

Muah! All sorted! No fighting, just a snotty phone call to their head office telling them we contacted HUD. Boy, did they move their big arses quickly.