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

[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.

[lady-karelia.livejournal.com]

It's an apartment complex, not even owned by a person but a corporation. They admitted they were in the wrong in a phone call, so it's all worked out. Nobody has ever asked for my SSN when trying to rent a place. They do a credit check, fair enough, they might even ask to see the visa in my passport, but that's always been sufficient. *shrugs* Oh well.