Valhalla, NY · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
Hello everyone!
I'm new to the site and would appreciate any help you could offer on the legality of denying rent to a group of 3 individuals that want to move in as roommates. They have seen the unit and have expressed interest moving forward with the application.
My wife and l own a 2 family house (owner occupied) in NY and have always had a family rent the upstairs unit. We'd prefer a family going forward. Can we deny the 3 roommates because they are not all related? Is that legal?
Thank you for any help you could offer!
Best regards,
---Joel
Simply continue accepting applications and screen to your specifications. You choose the most qualified and inform all others the unit has been rented. You never tell applicants why they did not get accepted unless your state codes specifies otherwise.
It is extremely important as a hobby landlord that you only choose the tenant you want. Never feel pressured to accept a tenant that does not fit your requirements. Many may chime in about fair housing rights however fair housing is of no concern in your situation. It is extremely rare for fair housing to be a issue for a hobby landlords as the enforcement is rare to non existent under your circumstances. Never choose tenants out of fear.