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My family and I are in the process of making a move to Charleston, SC (Yeah!) We plan on renting there. Here is my situation.
I have a large family. Five kids. They truly are wll behaved and not destructive. My husband and I have worked very hard to teach them respect not only for other people but for their belongings and the home we live in. We are not frequent movers. We have been in our current home for 6 years. Prior to that we lived in the same house for 10 years. When I start my search for another home, I will have references in hand not only from our current landlord (only been late(5 days) with the rent once in six years) but also from our neighbors, as to our character.
Here is my question. Will a landlord flinch when he hears that we have five kids? If so, how can I overcome the objections right from the get go? Obvoiusly we will be looking for a big house, 4+ bedrooms. I'm just afraid that a landlord will have preconceived notions on the destructiveness of kids due to past experiences.
I would make sure you have not just written references but also phone numbers of those landlords.
Also ; with your children being good, do you have a copy of their report cards ; that may be a good idea also. It would show that they are decent human beings. If they are in sports etc ; that would be good also.
Coming from renting a house to a lassie with three very desctructive kids I am just giving my opinions.
It seems to me that any landlord who's renting a 4+ bedroom house has to reasonably expect a large family is going to inhabit it.
To move into my last apartment I had to do a "dog interview" where the landlord met my little Boston Terrier to see that she wasn't mean or anything. Maybe you could set such a thing up with a landlord and your kids.
If you are otherwise well qualified, and you think a landlord won't show a home to you, or declines your application because of the number of kids, they could be found in violation of Fair Housing laws.
Most landlords, as others have said, will allow 2 people per bedroom.
If you are otherwise well qualified, and you think a landlord won't show a home to you, or declines your application because of the number of kids, they could be found in violation of Fair Housing laws.
Most landlords, as others have said, will allow 2 people per bedroom.
Steve
Only if you can prove that this was the case.
I think that the age of the children are what would matter most. Five toddlers, Five teenagers or Five kids that range in age from adolescent to teenager are going to paint three different ideas into the landlords head.
Also, just because it is a four-bedroom home does not mean that the landlord has intentions or expects it to be rented to a large family. My mom is currently renting a home that has three bedrooms, a sun-room, a large family room, a large living room and a decent dining room. She lives by her self but likes all the extra rooms and space for her stuff.
You've apparently never had a Fair Housing suit filed against you. They come after you on the flimsiest of accusation. No proof is needed if the criteria is otherwise met. It will be up to the landlord to prove that he didn't discriminate. I've had to do that before, successfully of course, but it's a nightmare process and one I wish upon no landlord, unless they in fact are discriminating.
Steve
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