LAist: 8 Out Of 11 Judges Agree: Roommates.com Is A Very Discriminating Service. Maybe Too Discriminating...

Ross A. Lincoln

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:56:11 -0800

Kelvam, not to worry - this doesn't have anything to do with a landlord's ability to screen a tennent. After all, you already know you're not allowed to refuse to rent to someone because you don't like their race/gender/orientation. The issue here is whether or not the Judges' decision is mistaken. I, for my part, believe that the selection of a roommate is much like the selection of a significant other. I don't want to enter into an arranged marriage, and likewise, i want to be absolutely sure I've slected a roommate who I think will be able to live with me, and visa versa. Therefore, by my POV I should be the ultimate decider of whom I choose to live with. Don't worry though, you, as a landlord, have the right to refuse to let your tennents just have anyone move in with them. You can screen for credit rating, rental history, criminal record, whether or not they're gainfully employed, any number of perfectly legal criteria. But you don't have the right to tell your tennent who they ought to be considering as a roommate. That's up to them. Apartments aren't dormitories, you know? So, they choose the candidates they like best, and you get to decide whether or not to let the candidate move in. This decision seems to suggest even the tennent doesn't have the right to tell themselves who they should be living with. Or at least, they can't use a service to find a compatible roommate. Since roommate situations are as much a matter of personal chemistry as financial convenience, I think this decision is really, really, really silly.

kelvlam

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:08:58 -0800

As a landlord myself, this ruling is really discouraging news... So I can't even screen the potential tenant anymore? That's just WRONG!

brojan73

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:26:13 -0800

It's my house, I should be able to discrimminate any which way I want.

grendel20

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:59:35 -0800

I read this yesterday at CurbedLA..... i think there has got to be a middle ground between the law and finding compatible roommates... but, ah, I don't know. I should probably read the article and see who the plaintiffs are.

Johnny

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:50:24 -0800

I don't get it. As long as the site is being used for people looking for other roommates I don't see where the equal housing rule comes into play. Don't individuals have the right to choose who they prefer to room with?