Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York

Tenant discrimination?

My question is:

I am a 21-year old college senior. I have, for the past three months, been searching for an apartment with my boyfriend and my best friend. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to find an apartment because none of the landlords at the apartments we looked at will rent to college students. I called to look at one apartment and the landlord said he didn't even want to let us look at it because he won't rent to college students. I feel that we are three very good people who all work 2-3 jobs and make a decent living. I am wondering: ''can a landlord refuse to rent to us just because we're in college?''


Asked on 5/14/04, 3:36 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Stephen Loeb Law Office of Stephen R. Loeb

Re: Tenant discrimination?

Yes. A lnadlord can refuse to rent to a student. If you have the means to do it what I suggest you do is offer to pay the landlord several months rent in advance as a good faith showing on your part. Another possible approach is to get a parent to be a guarantor for you. Perhaps your school can help. Most colleges have a housing office or some type of assistance listing avialable off-campus housing for students.

Should you like to discuss this or any other legal matter, you can call my office to schedule an appointment for a consultation or in the alternative, I can be reached for on-phone low-cost legal consultation at 1-800-275-5336 x0233699.

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Answered on 5/17/04, 10:11 am
Debra Palazzo Law Offices of Debra Palazzo, LLC

Re: Tenant discrimination?

Being a college student is not one of the protected classes under the Fair Housing Act. So unless you can prove age discrimination, the landlord can refuse to rent to you just as he can refuse to rent to all lawyers. Since you are all working, why mention that you are going to college as well?

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Answered on 5/15/04, 9:22 am


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