Homosexual renters vs straight renters. Doesn't matter so long as they pay?

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Homosexual renters vs straight renters. Doesn't matter so long as they pay?

Jordan L.
Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes

Since "don't ask don't tell" was officially repealed today, I'm curious to RE investors, does it matter if your renters are gay or not? If you have gay renters, annecdotally as renters, are they worse, better, or the same compared to straight renters?

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J ScottPro Member
Moderator
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
15y

How exactly do you know if someone os gay if they don't tell you?

My guess is that anyone who has had a sizable number of tenants has probably had gay tenants without even knowing it. As such, i imagine it's pretty hard to get a realistic sampling of whether gay people make good or bad tenants.

My guess is also that someone's attitudes towards gay people will affect their perception of whether they were good tenants or not as well.

Btw, I would guess that someone's sexual orientation wouldn't significantly contribute to whether they would be good tenants or not. I've never seen any studies that indicate sexual preference has any impact on credit-worthiness, trust-worthiness or integrity... :)

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  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y

    How exactly do you know if someone os gay if they don't tell you?

    My guess is that anyone who has had a sizable number of tenants has probably had gay tenants without even knowing it. As such, i imagine it's pretty hard to get a realistic sampling of whether gay people make good or bad tenants.

    My guess is also that someone's attitudes towards gay people will affect their perception of whether they were good tenants or not as well.

    Btw, I would guess that someone's sexual orientation wouldn't significantly contribute to whether they would be good tenants or not. I've never seen any studies that indicate sexual preference has any impact on credit-worthiness, trust-worthiness or integrity... :)

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  • Eric M.
    Flipper/Rehabber · Louisville, KY · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    Since "don't ask don't tell" was officially repealed today, I'm curious to RE investors, does it matter if your renters are gay or not? If you have gay renters, annecdotally as renters, are they worse, better, or the same compared to straight renters?

    You must be kidding. It is almost 2011.

    3Reply
  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Eric Michaels:

    You must be kidding. It is almost 2011.

    Sad, isn't it? Wasn't long ago in this country that black people were only considered 3/5 of a person and women were considered too stupid to vote...so this sort of bigoted attitude shouldn't be surprising...

    Worst part is that this was posted in the Political forum...perhaps that's some indication of the poster's intent... :roll:

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  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    ... does it matter if your renters are gay or not?

    No.

    1Reply
  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J Scott:
    Originally posted by Eric Michaels:

    You must be kidding. It is almost 2011.

    Sad, isn't it? Wasn't long ago in this country that black people were only considered 3/5 of a person and women were considered too stupid to vote...so this sort of bigoted attitude shouldn't be surprising...

    Worst part is that this was posted in the Political forum...perhaps that's some indication of the poster's intent... :roll:

    Apologies. I knew that this topic had the potential to stir up some controversy and couldn't decide if this should have just gone into a regular board or the political board.

    After watching the Obama repeal on this morning's news, I felt optimistic and shot off this query(but I probably should have held back).

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    I can see no good purpose for screening on sexual orientation, preference or anything of the kind. It has no effect on a tenants ability to pay the rent and it is more information than I want to know.

    2Reply
  • Will BarnardPro Member
    Moderator
    Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    15y

    On top of what Charles just stated, it is illegal to descriminate against race, religion, or sexual orientation. Doing so could land you in court! That is a place that landlords should strive to stay away from all together.

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  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    If anything, I think I would prefer to rent to gay males than straight ones. They're probably cleaner! ;-)

    0Reply
  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Mitch Kronowit:
    If anything, I think I would prefer to rent to gay males than straight ones. They're probably cleaner! ;-)

    Is this true or just your experience? How about metrosexuals?

    0Reply
  • Jon Holdman
    Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    15y

    Actually, the federal Fair Housing statutes do not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation:

    http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/LGBT_Housing_Discrimination

    As that article points out, though, its easy to run afoul of protected classes if you do discriminate based on sexual orientation. Further, many states DO ban discrimination based on sexual orientation.

    5Reply
  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    Is this true or just your experience? How about metrosexuals?

    My parents once rented a room to a young gay man. And my wife and I work with several gay men (nurses and flight attendants). From what I can tell, they're neat as a pin.

    Not sure about metrosexuals, but if they're gay on the outside and straight on the inside, I imagine it's the outside that keeps house. :wink:

    3Reply
  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:

    Apologies. I knew that this topic had the potential to stir up some controversy and couldn't decide if this should have just gone into a regular board or the political forum.

    If this had been in the renter forum, it wouldn't have bothered me nearly as much...thanks for the clarification....

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  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y

    Here's the thing. Personal preferences aside, as a landlord, if the renter pays the rent on time and does nothing to damage your investment, then something like this should make absolutely no difference right?

    0Reply
  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    Here's the thing. Personal preferences aside, as a landlord, if the renter pays the rent on time and does nothing to damage your investment, then something like this should make absolutely no difference right?

    Correct.

    1Reply
  • Barry O.Pro Member
    Investor · Imperial Beach, CA · Member since 2008 · 52 posts · 14 votes
    15y

    Not that I care about your preference, but I do care about my rental.
    Having said that I have found a stable relationship in any form is better than single people grouped together or a unstable relationship that gets my walls punched!
    So if being gay gets my rent paid and my house clean when you move out!
    The line to rent from me forms here!

    2Reply
  • Mike McKinzie
    Investor · Westminster, CO · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Even after reading this thread, I still can't figure out why this question was even asked?! The media has blown this entire issue out of proportion. I am sure if a soldier is under fire, he or she doesn't care if their backup is gay, straight or prefers only the knotholes of a Ponderosa Pine!! I only have five rules for my tenants:
    1. Pay the rent on time.
    2. Do no physical damage to the property.
    3. Do no illegal activity on the property.
    4. Do not disturb the neighbors.
    5. NEVER CALL ME, CALL THE PROPERTY MANAGER, THAT IS WHY I PAY THEM.

    And I have had all five rules broken in the last 30 days. And the one who called me complained that "your mother would never have raised the rent" to which I told them, "then move." (they are $500 under market now, they were $800 under market)

    3Reply
  • Marc Freislinger
    Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
    15y

    Ha! We just had a lady earlier this year go "You can't raise my rent, it's been the same for 3 years!"

    Yeah lady, that's why we're raising it.

    0Reply
  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Mike M:
    Even after reading this thread, I still can't figure out why this question was even asked?! The media has blown this entire issue out of proportion. I am sure if a soldier is under fire, he or she doesn't care if their backup is gay, straight or prefers only the knotholes of a Ponderosa Pine!! I only have five rules for my tenants:
    1. Pay the rent on time.
    2. Do no physical damage to the property.
    3. Do no illegal activity on the property.
    4. Do not disturb the neighbors.
    5. NEVER CALL ME, CALL THE PROPERTY MANAGER, THAT IS WHY I PAY THEM.

    And I have had all five rules broken in the last 30 days. And the one who called me complained that "your mother would never have raised the rent" to which I told them, "then move." (they are $500 under market now, they were $800 under market)

    Just wanted to confirm my suspicion that landlords in general are more accepting of homosexual people(not homosexuality per say). I don't think landlords are more socially conservative or liberal, but the are more bottom line people.

    0Reply
  • Timothy W.
    Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Regardless of legalities, I don't ask, don't tell, don't care and don't know why anyone would.

    1Reply
  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Tim W.:
    Regardless of legalities, I don't ask, don't tell, don't care and don't know why anyone would.

    Me neither. But in the state I live in(regarded a liberal state), enough people cared(including my friends and associates) to legislate them not to be able to marry their partner.

    So I find it a bit unjust that they're good enough to make money off of, but not good enough to enjoy the legal rights that I and other heteros take for granted.(sorry, I know another thread and I'll get off my soapbox now).

    0Reply
  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    (sorry, I know another thread and I'll get off my soapbox now).

    It's okay, this is the Political forum...no threads ever stay on topic... :-)

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  • Jordan L.
    OP
    Investor · Newbury Park, CA · Member since 2010 · 80 posts · 19 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J Scott:
    Originally posted by J L:
    (sorry, I know another thread and I'll get off my soapbox now).

    It's okay, this is the Political forum...no threads ever stay on topic... :-)

    Yeah. But I'm a newbie and don't want be labeled as troll from the get go. If I only hadn't watch the Obama speech this morning...

    0Reply
  • Aly W.
    Investor · Middletown, NJ · Member since 2008 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    The sexual orientation of a couple renting a property is irrelevant. My concern is a couple that has never lived together before, renting a property. I rented a condo to a same sex couple 6 months ago, they were young, definitely a "couple", and had never lived together.

    I mentioned to them at the time that if they broke up, they are both responsible for the rent, which is what I would have told any sex couple. And sure enough, 3 months later, they broke up and one moved out. The other has continued to pay the rent in full, thankfully.

    So it's more of an issue of how stable the couple is, rather than what kind of couple they are.

    2Reply
  • Mitch Kronowit
    SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J L:
    Just wanted to confirm my suspicion that landlords in general are more accepting of homosexual people(not homosexuality per say). I don't think landlords are more socially conservative or liberal, but the are more bottom line people.

    I think the same thing could be said for most business people.

    1Reply
  • Timothy W.
    Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Bottom line JL is I'll take gay, liberal, statist, obama butt kissing, gronola munching, dope smoking (off the property), hippie money all day long just so long as it's in on time.

    I love hearing my liberal tenants 2-3 times my age try to tell me how they've got the world figured out. I humor them long enough to get the check. Call it "spreading that wealth back around to me".

    1Reply
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