State Specific Question About: WASHINGTON (WA)

I am renting two separate MIL apartments out of the basement of our 'single family' home... I am thinking about adding an 'optional' page about personal info to the application. I have a family and would like to know more about our potential tenants/ roommates before making a decision. Can I get hit for 'discrimination'? I would do the same for all applicants.

Some of the questions I'd like to ask:

Describe Your Self (Optional)

What are your Hobbies and/or Interests?:

What Interests You Most about Our Home?:

What is a typical daily schedule in your life?:

How do others describe you?

Please rate yourself according to the following scale:

1= Not At All, Never, 2= Not So Much, Rarely, 3= Neutral, Sometimes, 4= Common, Often, 5= Very Much, All the Time. Add Comments...

Enjoy Community:

Enjoy Children:

Practice Sustainability:

Have an Open Mind:

Listen to Music:

Have Visitors:

Drink Alcohol:

Do you leave town:

Do you have a car:

I would avoid a list like this for two reasons:

1) Someone who is not honest will lie and 2) you might set yourself up for discrimination if you do not maintain meticulous records on exactly why a client is denied and might even have to "prove" it was not for any of these reasons.

If you want these kinds of questions answers, just ask the prospect as they tour your unit. I call these "making polite conversation". Sure, they might not answer every single one, but just a few might provide all the insight you need. To safeguard yourself, do a M2M rent agreement so you're free to non-renew with 30 days notice if you do find a personality conflict after tenant moves in.

BTW, what the heck does it mean to "practice sustainability"? Is this an environmental thing, a personal thing, a religious thing?

What is an M2M...

The thing is I have 2 kids... someone with kids would be fine ;-) but someone who does not enjoy kids would not be a good fit for our houshold. Should I just let them know in conversation?

No, don't put these on an application. Ask them a lot of open-ended questions and get them to TALK to you.

Why are you moving?

M2M stands for a month to month lease (rather than a year, etc.)

We also are renting a room in our house; I just make sure to introduce the boys as part of the "tour."

If someone doesn't like kids, your kids are bound to be safe (ignored); but predators sure like kids and often are real good around them, enough to make most parents feel they are safe around such person.

I don't like your question that asks them what they like about Your Home. Instead, refrase such as what interests you about THIS home.

Very good points - Thanks.

Oh and 'Sustainability' does refer to an environmental thing... we are hoping to have tenants who conserve resources, appreciate healthy sustainable living, and work well together. We are looking for more than just tenants - also a Sustainable Community... people who are willing to make choices/ sacrifices for the greater good. ie: short showers, carpooling, etc.

I agree we can discuss all these subjects in person so I'll leave this page off all together and have my list of 'casual questions' to work into the conversation.

what the heck is sustainability ? and does it pay my mortgage & tax bills ?

and do not ask such questions no matter what you are renting. this is a business.

In Michigan, the discrimination laws do NOT apply if the owner lives there.

Clara -- when talking to newbies, it is likely important to qualify statements like that. The exemptions are very specific and often CAN apply to owner-occupied places (such as if they have more than 3 SFHs or if there are more than 4 places available in the home).

Also, it is important to note that even WITH the exceptions, you still can't ADVERTISE that way.

I've watched newbies get into trouble after being told that "discrimination laws do not apply if the owner lives there" when it turns out that they actually own too many other investment properties or, more commonly, when they actually ADVERTISE it that way.

- John...