In a survey of potential tenants, I'd like to ask how many people will be living in the house and whether they are family members.

Am I able to ask these questions? Would it be familial discrimination to prefer a married couple to two roommates?

jb,

“How many PERSONS? Or PEOPLE?” Yes.

Family members? No. You cannot decide what makes up a family.

Married? No. And honestly these days there is little difference.

Fun facts: Familal Status started as “PREGNANT?” and has evolved into “you can’t tell me my cousin/ best friend/ old lady we’ve cared for over 25 years is not part of the family”.

I expect “fur babies” are not far behind as legal “family members”:)

to clarify...

PERSONS? Yes.

Do you have kids? No. Like plenty said, if THEY offer child info that's up to them, but YOU cannot do anything with it.

Calculating boys vs girls in bedroom layouts? No. THAT is up to the parents, not the LL. Example: Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter: you must allow them a 2 bedroom home.

You CAN require everyone 18+ to complete an application.

BRAD

FHA defines a family member. Trying to understand if I can determine if all who are living in the home fall into the categories below:

Family Member is defined as follows, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation,

gender identity, or legal marital status:

• child, parent, or grandparent;

o a child is defined as a son, stepson, daughter, or stepdaughter;

o a parent or grandparent includes a step-parent/grandparent or foster

parent/grandparent;

• spouse or domestic partner;

• legally adopted son or daughter, including a child who is placed with the Borrower by an

authorized agency for legal adoption;

• foster child;

• brother, stepbrother;

• sister, stepsister;

• uncle;

• aunt; or

• son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law

Several years ago I remember reading about an old-fashioned landlord who refused to rent to an unmarried heterosexual couple simply because they were unmarried. They sued him. The judge said he had the right to decline them; they were not a protected class.

jb,

Logical thinking will get a LL into deep trouble. The laws are not logical nor are the attys and judges. People can play with the words all day long but in the end it costs thousand$$$ to defend yourself.

My position: don't poke the bear. Play their game their way.

I don't like roommates. Inherently unstable situation. It takes a lot of maturity to be a successful roommate, and most young people are not that mature. Any unmarried couple living together are just roommates.