Re: complaint about us discriminating based on familia

Re: complaint about us discriminating based on familia by Lighthope on October 22, 2014 @23:28

Let me add just a little to this.

You had mentioned in a reply to someone in this subject that you destroyed your application documents after you found a qualified renter. This is very bad as you now have no proof of why you turned down others. Fortunately, you did keep records of those you rented to. Good. Those will help.

The size of the house is in your favour. Two bedroom is too small for a family of six. OTOH, I don't know what standard Michigan imposes. Maybe they count three people per bedroom? Or maybe they count the living room as well?

You'll be happy to know there is no federal discrimination law against family size as far as I know.

According to HUD, the standard occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 1. Therefore, a two bedroom house can contain 5 people. However, local ordinances can change this and many do.

Your simple statement to them that "maybe the house is too small for a family of 6" is fairly innocent. That shouldn't carry too much weight even with the most prejudiced of Courts.

You'd do better if you can prove that you showed up for the house showing and the daughter no-showed. Still, though, no reason to show a house to someone who shouldn't be renting it.

Despite that bit of good news, you're in trouble. The government is now involved and They Are Out To Get You. That is their job. They live for that. That is how they justify their existence.

A lot of the stuff they are asking for is irrelevant and normally you can tell them to blow it out their ear. But this is the government, and they have ways of making your life miserable.

DO NOT respond to the letter from Michigan Department of Civil Rights. As others have recommended, go straight to an attorney and let him deal with it. The money you pay now for legal help will be far less than what Michigan will do once they get their fangs into you. Notice they are already hitting you up for 10 grand?

Good luck.

Lighthope

Pearls of Wisdom - "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying." - Woody Allen

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Re: complaint about us discriminating based on familia - Landlord Forum thread 326180