Landlord only Allows a Co-Signer if Tenant is a Fulltime Student

Landlord only Allows a Co-Signer if Tenant is a Fulltime Student

Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes

My son who is 25 has a good job, makes greater than the 2x monthly rent requirement, has steady employment with the same employer for 3+ years, is a hard worker who has diligently saved his money and had recently finished school with no student debt. Sounds pretty good. :)

However, he doesn't have an established credit record with the reporting agencies. He does have over 4 1/2 years of rental history in only two apartments. He recently had applied for a single occupancy apartment in the Puget Sound area by the University District. When they contacted him with the application results, they stated that he didn't have any credit history or even a credit ID, which makes sense because he always paid cash for his needs.

Given the situation, I had offered to co-sign to help him get into the apartment and he was told that since he was not a full time student they would not accept a co-signer. I'm not sure what difference it makes if he was a student or not, he has a qualified co-signer willing to assist if he were to fail to make the rent payments. Granted, I get it, it is a single occupancy and they probably don't want someone else on the lease that may try to move in.

To me this seems to be discriminatory by insisting that only college students can have a co-signer. I have not read the local laws regarding co-signers, but if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
7y

There are no law violations here. They have a policy, probably based on real-world experience with cosigners. I won't accept cosigners because every...single...time I accepted them, they refused to take responsibility when their precious child failed to pay rent or left a place trashed. And no offense intended but these parents are usually "helicopter parents" that constantly calling or email trying to argue with me about the lease agreement or why little Joey can't get the oven to work or why can't little Joey add three more roommates to help with his rent.

Cosigners are way too much work and trouble.

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  • Investor · Wichita, KS · Member since 2017 · 584 posts · 813 votes
    7y

    I’m sure as Dad this will be a tough conversation because the last thing you want to do is have him get comfortable will a credit card in his wallet but have him open up a low balance credit card, $1500 limit or so tops. Keep the balance below 30%. I’m sure he can get this on his own, see what credit karma pulls up. I never used credit either but had to open one up 6 months before buying a house to get my credit score where it needed to be to get approved for my first house.

    That and search for a more understanding landlord. Good luck, sir!

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Jonathan R.

    Yes, that was my first reply to him. He needs to learn how to use credit responsibly buying everything on credit and then paying the bill in full every month. I agree the low limit would help keep things manageable without getting to far out of hand.

    What is your opinion on whether this seems discriminatory? This actually seems out of line with fair housing. I know you can't discriminate against race, religion, sex, handicap, LGBT, emotional support and service animals, now they are adding co-signers, lol.  BTW, we are from Wichita originally.

  • Investor · Wichita, KS · Member since 2017 · 584 posts · 813 votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein no clue on discriminatory. It does sound bazaar. And yeah, we chatted several months back. My sister works at Amazon and my grandparents lived for many years in Redmond. I’ll be up there the first week of August for my sister’s wedding. It will basically be a red eye though because my wife and I are having our third daughter on like the 29th of July and my daughters are the flower girls. It will be a crazy year. :)

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Jonathan R. Hit me up when your here, maybe we could meet for a coffee and talk about rei.

  • Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    Those with no credit history and non-college students are not protected classes and can be discriminated against if the landlord so chooses.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    There are no law violations here. They have a policy, probably based on real-world experience with cosigners. I won't accept cosigners because every...single...time I accepted them, they refused to take responsibility when their precious child failed to pay rent or left a place trashed. And no offense intended but these parents are usually "helicopter parents" that constantly calling or email trying to argue with me about the lease agreement or why little Joey can't get the oven to work or why can't little Joey add three more roommates to help with his rent.

    Cosigners are way too much work and trouble.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
  • Rockaway, NJ · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    It's the definition of discrimination, but what most people don't realize is that discrimination is legal. You can legally discriminate against anyone as long as it is not due to their membership in a protected class. Since "university student" is not a protected class, they can discriminate. No law is broken. This is similar to saying "No smokers" or "No pet owners" as neither of those are considered to be protected classes.

    I agree with him opening a credit card to build credit. My short term advice, move on and find another apartment (him).

  • Rental Property Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2016 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein it’s not discriminatory. My question is why is your son 25 and has no credit history at all? I’m about the same age, and you definitely want credit history by 25. I see no reason why you can’t get a credit card after college. That’s what I did, you don’t need one while in college, but you should get one right after.

  • Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y

    I'll only chime in on one aspect of the credit history. NO, he does not need to get a credit card and start using it to build his history. So he didn't get into one apartment, so what? Look elsewhere. But don't go in debt to "establish credit". I have news for you. Most people don't pay off their credit card every month before interest kicks in. It's why interest rates are 28%, because people don't pay their bills. 

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Max T. @Andrew B. @Nathan Gesner @Caleb Heimsoth @Anthony Wick

    Thanks to all for the comments. I do understand and agree that college students are not a protected class and therefore were no laws violated as Cody stated. I have re-read the OP and my subsequent reply and I clearly have demonstrated that I was trying to find a reason why something someone has done may be wrong in the eyes of a parent. My bad on this, I should have known better.

    In reference to the lack of credit at the age of 25. We live in a society where we are taught at a young age that debt is bad, so these are the traits that I have raised my son. Heck, I didn't get my first CC until the age of 30 and that was only when I couldn't rent a car without one. So there are legitimate reasons to have a CC. Using them responsibly is the key here. I purchase literally everything on my CC and pay the bill in FULL every month. I have put entire rehabs on my card and as a result, I have a nice accumulation of airline miles to use.

    I have no problem recommending him to get a CC to establish his credit. He is fiscally responsible. As I stated, he finished school without student debt and has traveled abroad 4 different times for up to 6 weeks at a time and still has a significant savings for a 25 year old.

    I agree at this time, it is time to move on to another apartment, in the mean time, he can work on building a credit history and demonstrating fiscal responsibility.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein well done. Consider handing him a book like "Set For Life" from the BP bookstore to ensure he has a strong grasp on the value of remaining debt-free. It's an easy read and very practical.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein I use a payment service for my rentals called Cozy which reports payments to the credit bureau so my tenants build credit while paying rent. Ideally he should find a landlord who uses this service or any other service that lets him build credit.

    I don’t allow co-signers either. Either the tenant is good or they are not. I don’t need mom and dad in the mix. Usually the kid lies to parents, then parents are mad at landlord. No win for a landlord. I am not saying that is your situation but it happens too often.

    I also require income as 3 times rent to be considered strong. I would not rent at 2x in my market.

    Best way to build credit is a car loan. Even a small used car loan. Anything with installment payments.

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Nathan G. That is a great idea. He loves to read so I will throw that at him and reccomend he finish it before getting the CC. Thanks....

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Joe Splitrock

    Update... Leasing company called and said he was approved, apparently his salary being 3x rent was well above their 2x requirement.

    I also require 3x rent on my units so I was surprised that the limit was only 2x given the high rental prices here in Seattle. Must be because they are catering to University Students.

    Because of the availability of public transportation, he sold his car years ago saying that he didn't want the extra expense so suggesting a car loan wouldn't appeal to him.

    I like Nathan's idea to give him the book Set for Life. Time to see if that parental advice over the years actually makes a difference.

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein great news! Makes sense on the car. Just have him get a cash back credit card like Discover. He shouldn’t change his spending habits, just put it all on the card. Then he can build credit and get 1-2 percent cash back.

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    7y

    Glad he got the place. Not sure if he could get this apartment to report his payment to the credit agencies,  one day he will want to have some history for a purchase.   For a CC I found it easy for my son to get approved for a discover card as a student with cash back.  My other son got a capitol one also with cash back.  If he is responsible it carries through to the CC.  Put some regular bills on it and set it to autopay. My brother was 42 with the same issue always paying cash and had trouble getting his first mortgage.

  • Jacksonville, NC · Member since 2018 · 67 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Ted Klein sounds like he needs to establish credit. There are no fair housing violations here. I do not allow co-signers unless for specific situations such as full time college students. I have allowed co-signer in the past but the co-signer needed to reside in the same county in which the rental property was located. This is mainly for if any issues arose it would be easier to serve the co-signer with legal paperwork, etc and made clear if the the co-signer moved they were required to notify me of their Chang elf address or they would be in breech of contract.

  • Investor · Redmond, WA · Member since 2016 · 169 posts · 58 votes
    7y

    @Joe Splitrock @Colleen F. I appreciate the suggestions on the cards. I really don't expect his spending habits will change, (at least I hope not), he appears to be very frugal.

    @Ryan McKelvey I actually owned up to my mistake in the OP "I have re-read the OP and my subsequent reply and I clearly have demonstrated that I was trying to find a reason why something someone has done may be wrong in the eyes of a parent. My bad on this, I should have known better." Looking at it from a landlord's perspective, I wouldn't want a co-signer either. I think my parental instincts were brewing and I made comments that thinking back on, I actually know better.

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