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 LOUD neighbour!!?
I live in University apartments. I share a bedroom wall with a neighbour (not a roommate) who is EXTREMELY LOUD at all hours of the day and night. She is especially loud when with her boyfriend (if ...


 Do I owe my landlord any rent if he hasn't provided electricity for 2 weeks?

Additional Details
I rent a portion of the house,with no written contract. All utilities are included with rent payment, which is up to date.She just didn't pay the bill until it ...


 How can I buy a house? I'm a student, no job, low credit.?
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 Is it a good time to buy a house?
is it a good time to buy a house?
Additional Details
I apologize for missing information. I intend to buy a house in London....


 Do I have any rights to claim a percentage of my ex-partners house sale?
My partner and I split up 4 months ago due to him cheating on me, after 6 years together, 4 engaged & 3 living together. We purchased the house that we had been living in for two years last year ...


 If a landlord refuses to fix a sewerage problem, can I withhold rent? I cannot flush toilet, shower or dishes.
I rent a small, one bedroom cabin for $600 a month. I cannot flush the toilet, drain the sink or shower because everything backs up into the shower stall. I discovered the sewer line is draining on ...


 Why are houses in Foreclosure so cheap?
We are looking at a couple houses lately and I was just wondering why the sale prices on those in foreclosure are so low when the market price is through the roof???
Additional Details
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 How do you buy a home without a down payment?
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 Why is it that every real estate person that I’ve talked to does not know what Fixed income means?
Why is it that every real estate person that I’ve talked to does not know what Fixed income means?
Additional Details
If I fixed interest rate I would have asked about fixed interest ...


 Are landlords aloud to go into your apartment without you knowing?
I mean, my landlord would say he'd be down the next day when i'm there and fix something and he'd never show up. then days later he shows up when no one is there fix whatever he fixes ...


 This is in my new LEASE. Is this fair?
My new landlord put this in the new lease. Does this sound normal??
---------------------------
REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

The Landlord shall at his expense, except for the first $50...


 How do I deal with an overbearing and nosy landlord?
I rent a small place from this old couple and as much as they look out for me, the old man is constantly knocking on my door telling me to close my windows, asking what I am doing for the day, if I ...


 How to evict a house guest who has become a nightmare. my family owns the house, can she be forced to leave?
this person has stayed with me for about three months, has no job, no car, no friends and she has become a nightmare to have around. She states repeatedly that because she has lived here for more ...


 My landlord told me if i move in this months rent is free but i have to pay next months rent?? why is that?
They also want a 250 dollar fee which is fine. I don't understand why I have to pay june rent now it just seems a bit fishy. They claimed fair housing act but I have never heard of that having ...


 What is a good resource for beginning real estate investors?
I'm a beginning real estate investor, and would like to know of resources (i.e. books/people/internet) where i can get info on buying houses for resale and for rentals. But just want to gather ...


 House payment amount?
I need a rough estimate on how much it would be monthly to buy a place for about 200,000 in Southern California. Doesn't need to be exact. Just need a general idea....


 I am wanting to buy a house and have found out the tenant has just signed a 12mth lease,can i get her out?
I am wanting to buy a house and the owners of the property have given the current tenant a 12 month lease, I would like to buy the house to live in it and i have approached the tenant who has stated ...


 Is it the landlord's job or my job to replace the kitchen lightbulb?
I'm too short to reach up there, & the light blew out. I don't have any chairs or anything to stand on.
Additional Details
yes, I live in an apartment....


 If i rent out my house,what kind of taxes will i have to pay?
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 I put my name down for a Council House in 1956 do you think I am getting near the top of the list yet?
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Outsider
Renting a house... do you think this is fair?
I saw my dream house, I've got the money for the rent and deposit, and I know I can afford it... but the agent is taking character references for all the applicants and is going to choose who he 'likes' best to get the house... is this fair/ethical? Surely they should give the house to the first person to confirm they want it and hand over the deposit etc?

I understand them asking for bank references, but I feel that kind of picking and choosing is unfair - I am a student with 2 jobs who has worked extremely hard to get myself into a better situation, my empoyer doesn't give references, and the other person who could give me a reference is on holiday! They are going to give the house to one of the working couples who both have jobs because it 'looks' better.

I'm gutted... do you think this is right? Or should it be first to the post?
                     
 




rlloydevans
There are certain things a landlord cannot base their renting decisions on. They cannot base it on Race, Religion, Age, Sex or Sexual Orientation etc, of the persons renting.

That said, the landlord has the ability to rent to those people who they think are the most responsible and reliable people out there. Most good landlords learn to make a thorough check of prospective tenants, including personal an professional references as well as past landlords, to find out if there is any history which might cause them to doubt your responsibility.

Remember, it may be a rental to you, but the owner is signing over the well being of a very expensive asset that belongs to them so that you can live in, and potentially party in, smoke in, do drugs in and otherwise destroy on him if he choses the next renter badly. So yes, he has the right to chose a renter based on their perception of your responsibility,


M v
Rating
As a landlord, this is not unusual. I would certainly pick and choose who rents my place based on how strong there application is. If your not being discriminating against race, origin or creed, then there isn't a problem.

As far as references go, I wouldn't call any, I would ask for them in writing, you really don't know who you are talking to on the other end and some people are ALWAYS trying to get around something.


Berkshire Bella
It is totally up to the landlord/agents. It is like applying for a job - the company will take references, and hire who they like best and who they think they can trust to do a good job. Landlords are protecting their assets (house) so want the best tenant.

That does suck though - and I've never heard of an employer who doesn't give references, that just isn't right


'Dr Greene'
They are looking for the Tennant who is going to casue them the least hassle and be able to pay the highest rent, if not now then in a year or so when they start to hike it up.

Students are viewed as unreliable and noisey - which even though this may not apply to you will count against you.


kris
Rating
I think it is fair when renting. If I was renting my house I would want to know that I had responsible people who were going to look after it properly etc.
It's a shame for you and a total pain in the **** but I'm afraid that is the way it works. sorry.


amtusS
you can not blame the owner, he/she may need regular income for their own reason,keep looking, better luck next time


kendavi
Rating
Of course it is fair! A landlord has to consider that he will pay for any damage to the property and can also be held accountable for his tenant's actions. If you owned a property, would you rent it to the first drug addicted, alcoholic, disease ridden scumbag that came to you with a deposit that he had just robbed somebody for? I would doubt it! References are there to determine a persons character, honesty and integrity etc. The more stable, honest and decent the person, the less likely it is that the property owner will have to shell out £1,000s (or thousands of dollars) to repair his house. Also, it is less likely that a neighbour will sue the landlord for putting the neighbour and / or his property at risk etc. If you are hard working, decent and honest, you have a good chance. As for your employer, if your employer can't be decent enough to give references for employees / former employees, find another job. Unless your employer has something to hide, there is no reason why your employer should screw your life up for no good reason. Most employers will insist on a reference from your current or latest employer. Without that reference, most employers would not consider you for a job. Get a decent employer, one that support it's workers rather than hinders them. In the meantime, why not get your parents to apply for the house and you pay the rent?


ronaldblades@btinternet.com
Rating
Life is never fair.. Some ya win ..some ya lose ...just keep smiling and summat will turn up


Ellie
Rating
I am afraid that it is fair- references are an important part of the selection process and if you cannot provide adequately at this time then its just the way it goes- yes it sucks. But you are way too young to be worrying about dream houses- a roof over your head in this present climate should be all you shoud be worrying about. Dream homes come way down the line in real life. Infact- there is no such thing as a dream home when renting- it is always owned by a greedy landlord who can turn your world upside in a matter of minutes if he/she so desires!!


acermill
Sorry, but the landlord is within rights to do as he is doing. There is no requirement that a landlord accept the first person who is financially qualified.


KathyS
Rating
Yes..it's fair. No smart agent or landlord is going to just hand over keys to the first person that comes thier way without checking them out.


LEX
Rating
1st to the post provided they are a suitable applicant. Sorry to hear of your plight mate, it can't be easy on you youngsters of today. All the best to you in the future and i hope you find what your looking for.


iowntheavenue
I know it is unfair to you..but if i was renting my property, and it was between students and couples, I would not choose students. Students have a reputation of partying hard. It may not apply to you personally but I do understand the landlords logic.


clump y
go to the local court and seek fair housing laws.


glenn
Rating
Fair Housing protects if you have been discriminated against for several specific reasons. (Race, ethnic, religion, familial status etc...) It does not protect against all discrimination.

If the landlord "likes" people because they are the same race as he or she is that would be discrimination. If (for example) they are going to take applications for a two week period and try and pick the applicant that seems best financially then that may very well be legal.

I own some house that I rent out. I always look for references. I want to know that the people will likely leave the place in good condition and likely pay their rent on time. You can't really tell either one of those just by looking at someones bank account.


Alterfemego
Rating
AWOL sometimes life isn't fair. Ethical, well as long as the owner isn't discriminating then it's ethical. If it were meant to be for you, it will be.


VOLLEYBALLY
Rating
Getting those references is not only fair it is smart. The seller is looking for the best fit, not necessarily the person he/she likes the best. Many things come out with references and who wants to be stuck with a person who might appear sweet on the outside, but when you really get to know them is only out to sue you. If you have good character, you should have nothing to worry about. Character tells a lot about a person and how they will take care of your property. Three cheers for the person who owns the house. It would be stupid to do anything less than she/he is doing. An owner will always pick and choose whether they tell you that or not. It is their right to do so as long as they don't single you out b/c of race, gender, etc.
To Top Contributor Mary B. Shame on you! Always claim victim, right???? The question asker didn't mention any of this so why even go there. What the house owner is doing is perfectly legal.


Stephen A
Rating
Fair or not , that's what they want to do

The rules change , as they wish them too

Most of these letting agents , are not what they seem`, very difficult to understand , One has to be a saint , to rent through them , and when things go wrong , like repairs , they expect you to not complain , and put up with there services , which are well , not what they should be


Gabe
The agents job is to protect the owners which is why they hired him in the first place. We rented out a few times and some people gave a good first impression and only turn out to be nightmares. Fair would be to check you out first and if your references check out ok, give you the place.


shih tzu lady
Understand your plight, but as a landlord I have to admit I would probably short list people in a similar way. However, given what you have said, I think I should reconsider for the future. I have my fingers crossed you get the property - perhaps a word with the agency might put you in good stead. Good luck.


Barbarian
Rating
Its called market forces. If the tide turns he will be crawing at your door. Reframe it find another property you maybe like and tell him your not so hot. Keep the door open and see how he acts.


Expert Realtor
Rating
No, that isn't legal...by any chance, are you a minority? If you are...that SCREAMS of racism.

However, if you are not, I would call the agent's broker and complain. If you are the first to apply, and you qualify, then they are bound to rent you the unit.

Character references for a place to live...is illegal.


Gonzino
I think employers are obliged to give references by law. I don't know this for a fact though, but it might be worth checking out.


zyberianwarrior
Rating
No it is illegal and is also a FELONY (Fair Housing act violation) file a complaint Monday with the State board of regulators and this clown will have his/her realtors license stripped. Asking for Bank references is proper but picking and choosing is illegal.


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