Is it legal for a landlord to ask for 6 month's rent upfront?

[GreyDay]

Originally Posted by Squirl

My BIL was required to pay the total lease of 12 months upfront b/c he was self-employed and was unwilling to provide 2 years of tax returns and copies of bank statements. I was surprised that those requests were made of him, but landlords do have a right to lease properties with anticipation of being paid rent. If you come to me unemployed, I would also require 12 months' rent upfront.

There's customary but by no means is the whole first-last and security deposit mantra law.

If your employment situation prompted the 6 months, it's fair. People, banks, everyone is a bit more cautious. But if someone else, w/o a job was only required to pay 2 months, I'd question. However, you probably wouldn't want to live there if they're that sketchy.

[loves2read]

what do you bet the OP is under 26 and never lived out of the previous state before moving here...
just not lot of life experience maybe

[Twincam666]

I wouldn't do it. A lot of landlords are taking the renters $$$ and not paying their mortgages and the home get foreclosed on with you in it????????

If he wants some warm fuzzy feeling from you, tell him you'll give him a letter or proof of funds from your bank!

[HOAPRESIDENT]

It sounds suspicious, but I'm not sure it would violate a law without knowing more.

There are some really crazy things going on in the mortgage world. The landlord could be 6 months behind on his mortgage payments or like others say, may not pay the mortgage in 6 months and you'd have no viable recourse against him. I wouldn't trust someone who wanted me to pay 6 months in advance without knowing I would get what I bargained for. In half a year, he could sell the place, go into foreclosure or something else and you could be out on the street in a couple months.

If you are a member of a protected class, and he didn't require this of a white male in your same financial situation, then it could very well be illegal.

Nevertheless, I would look elsewhere -- something smells.

Texas Fair Housing Act Link -- Texas Fair Housing Act Fact Sheet

[loves2read]

If you are a member of a protected class, and he didn't require this of a white male in your same financial situation, then it could very well be illegal.
and how would the OP know that---ask?

and this info from your link seems to preclude it applying to the OP's situation--from what we know
The Fair Housing/TFHA covers most housing. In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
Since the home owner is also the "broker" this deal is probably excluded from the Fair Housing Act