In some of my posts here, you have made references to "Steering". I know what steering is, at least I think I do, but why do you make a big deal over it?

For example: if an applicant does not meet my min. 3X income qualifications, I will sometimes give that applicant the names of other local LL's who will accept below par applicants. Is this steering? All I am trying to do here is help someone get a roof over his head.

From your point of view, why is steering so bad?

Because I know someone personally who got whacked with a steering lawsuit over something relatively simple and seemingly harmless.

"Steering" is when a LL or Realtor thinks one house isn't suited to a particular person or family and "steers" them towards another more suitable space. Your example is not steering.

So, what you are saying here is 'No good deed goes unpunished?'

For the sake of steering. I still wouldn't do that Roy.

If they say my unit won't work, I won't tell them that Joe down the street has a few units available. It may be legal, but I'm not risking it.

NE (PA)

The Hoarder I evicted on Friday was from your state of PA !

PLEASE don't send me any more PA deadbeats,...LOL.

I think we need a wall built at the Mason-Dixon line to keep all of the Yankee deadbeats from coming down here and setting up residency. :)

Roy ROY ROY. your state of AL has the next highest concentration of born and breed deadbeats next to GA and 3rd to MS--- This from a NY yankee living in GA. Even the deadbeats from PA are improving the status of local deadbeats!!!!!

MYOB,

So you are another Yankee carpet-bagger from up north! Why do you all come here? :) Have you learned how to eat grits yet? No, you don't put sugar and milk on them either.

Yes, your stats on AL deadbeats is probably correct. AL leads the nation in highest percentage (40%) of households receiving food stamps or other government hand-outs. We do have the highest paid college football coach that money can buy which makes us #1 in something! LOL

"Steering" is anything progressives think violates the party line.

I wouldn't do it, Roy. You send a minority to someone who accepts minorities and you could end up with a lawsuit. It doesn't matter that you rejected the applicant for a very different reason than race. The same with kids or religion or marital status. It can be for something you didn't even know about the applicant. That doesn't stop HUD.

There is no real logic or reason to it. Just that you might have possibly hurt someone's feelings.

Don't send anyone anywhere, don't point out where churches are located, or where anything else is located ( except maybe the bus line). Dont give advice on crime or schools or anything else.

I had a local RE agent provide a clear-cut example of steering a few years ago. I had a small multi-unit in one neighborhood (which many children live in) and he proceeded to tell me that he always told his prospects, "You don't want to live in that neighborhood."

I told him, "Dude, you can't do that. You can get into trouble. It is clearly steering."

He said he didn't care and he would continue to warn off anyone with kids from moving into that area. I probably should have called his broker and told him what this nitwit was doing, but never did. He is still an agent today, although he has had some issues with complaints from some prospective buyers and sellers for assorted reasons.

I enjoy doing the opposite of steering. When prosepctive tenants come for showing and complain it is too small, I point out that every house in the nieghborhood is the same size!

I agree with NE, WHY would you open yourself to a potential steering issue. A potential tenant or a TESTER can take your innocent HELPING ANOTHER LANDLORD and turn it on you NOW you are in HOT WATER.

Another post was mentioning when a tenant asked about the neighborhood.

The correct answer is: I can't tell YOU and YOU can't asked.

What happens if that person you are talking to is a TESTER sent by your local HUD office. Is it worth it to risk ALL YOUR HARD EARNED years of building your rental business to have a potential, STEERING or DISCRIMINATION SUIT made against you. Because you were TRYING TO HELP THEM or another landlord in the area.

Roy you mean well by helping the tenant you rejected for whatever reason, the reason may have been they could not afford your unit. HOWEVER, if they have an issue with you and decide to talk to the local HUD office. The problem is NOW YOU may have a problem and you never meant for it to be anything more than helping them.

I agree with NE Don't tell them about a unit down the street or across town.

I agree with NE don't tell them about the neighborhood. Your answer: I can't tell you and you can't ask.

Re-read WMH of NC the "...TROUBLE STARTS..." plus the problem is the interpretation of your HELPING HAND.

Bottom line WHY put yourself into a situation where it could be mis-interpreted and there was NEVER any intent on your part at all.

The focus is your unit and information about the number of rooms and bathrooms, the monthly electrical, water, sewer or gas bills, and information about YOUR rental unit. AND if they asked about the neighbor/neighborhood. I can't tell you and you can't ask.

Roy,

Oregon hit it.

Perception is reality and it’s based on what the offended party SAYS you said.

SJWs-Social Justice Warriors love to hammer LLs because no one deserves to be rich like landlords.

Heard this line in a seminar yesterday: Hurt people hurt people.

“I hurt so you should hurt as bad as me. “

There are facts about the neighborhood that can be said if they ask :

The house is on a (dead end st, culdesac, neighborhood st, main road).

The neighborhood has no businesses or commercial buildings (i'd like to see a SJW twist that one!)

Roy your killing me. Of course I LOVE GRITS!!!! No milk no sugar no salt- slab of butter that's it.

Not to dry and not to soupy either. Ya gotta respect a grit. Roy when I order grits (had them this morning) its with the stipulation if its not to my liking they go back!!!

I think many of you all are making a 'mountain out of a mole-hill' here regarding my sending applicants to other LL's.

Another example: If an applicant wants a 3 bedroom and all I have available is a 2 bedroom,..I will get on the cell phone and call other LL's and ask them if they have any 3 bedrooms houses available. If they say 'yes', I will tell them I have a warm body for you,...I will send them over.

MYOB,

You can steer, just like you can discriminate, but only on allowable basis. What you cannot do is steer based on a protected trait (race, sex, age, children, etc.). If you are steering based on ability to pay, that is not illegal.

MYOB