How to best find a single mom + kid(s) tenants without publicly discriminating?

[Anonymous]

Hello DCUM!

I am a newly divorced mom and have a large garden unit apartment attached to my house (1550sqft, 2bd/1ba/2 huge living rooms/full bath/laundry/garage spot/large yard). I have two daughters who are with me half the time and the other half I am in this large house alone and would like to start monetizing the unit. However, I would ideally like it to be rented by another single mom with kids or 1-2 females. Is this possible to search for? I would be happy to take significanly under market rate for the unit for the right tenants.

How would you go about looking?

[Anonymous]

Does your area have a parents list serv (not anonymous like this)? I would start there. Our church also has a big list serv. I think it’s fine to say “I’m interested in offering this to another mom or single woman/female students”. You could also contact organizations that have interns, but then you are looking at needing to furnish it and having more in and out versus a longer lease. Hope it works out well for you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your area have a parents list serv (not anonymous like this)? I would start there. Our church also has a big list serv. I think it’s fine to say “I’m interested in offering this to another mom or single woman/female students”. You could also contact organizations that have interns, but then you are looking at needing to furnish it and having more in and out versus a longer lease. Hope it works out well for you!

Now why would you think that? Or say that if you have no idea?

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it’s illegal to advertise housing in a way that expresses a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on sex, familial status, or other protected classes. Saying “another mom” or “single woman/female students” directly states a preference for women and excludes men, which is considered sex discrimination.

This is no different than saying “I’m interested in offering this to another white tenant or single asian students”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your area have a parents list serv (not anonymous like this)? I would start there. Our church also has a big list serv. I think it’s fine to say “I’m interested in offering this to another mom or single woman/female students”. You could also contact organizations that have interns, but then you are looking at needing to furnish it and having more in and out versus a longer lease. Hope it works out well for you!

Now why would you think that? Or say that if you have no idea?

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it’s illegal to advertise housing in a way that expresses a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on sex, familial status, or other protected classes. Saying “another mom” or “single woman/female students” directly states a preference for women and excludes men, which is considered sex discrimination.

This is no different than saying “I’m interested in offering this to another white tenant or single asian students”.

+100

Why on earth do people post completely ignorant advice that could get someone in a lot of trouble? Why make a comment at all if you know nothing about the topic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your area have a parents list serv (not anonymous like this)? I would start there. Our church also has a big list serv. I think it’s fine to say “I’m interested in offering this to another mom or single woman/female students”. You could also contact organizations that have interns, but then you are looking at needing to furnish it and having more in and out versus a longer lease. Hope it works out well for you!

Now why would you think that? Or say that if you have no idea?

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it’s illegal to advertise housing in a way that expresses a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on sex, familial status, or other protected classes. Saying “another mom” or “single woman/female students” directly states a preference for women and excludes men, which is considered sex discrimination.

This is no different than saying “I’m interested in offering this to another white tenant or single asian students”.

FHA doesn't apply to owner occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units.

[Anonymous]

This isn't my area of expertise but I seem to remember that FHA only applies to landlords with over a certain number of units. I think one can have a preference on who to rent to when there is only a single unit or attached to one's main dwelling. I can't remember all the details but I don't think she would get in trouble for advertising her unit to attract another single mom.

[Anonymous]

Check local laws, but this is NOT a violation of the Fair Housing Law. That law exempts owner occupied dwellings with 4 or fewer units. It's called the "Mrs. Murphy exemption." I don't know where the OP lives so double check, but most local ordinances have similar exemptions.

[Anonymous]

It’s the Mrs Murphy exemption to the FHA.

[Anonymous]

Also consider advertising on facebook pages that are geared to moms or single moms.

[Anonymous]

There's a "Mrs. Murphy exception" to federal fair housing laws that may allow you to discriminate in this case.

Also, if you are in DC, the DC Housing Authority has monthly online "meet and lease" sessions where people who have vouchers and are approved to move in can interact with landlords who have units with the appropriate number of bedrooms. Most of the folks who are approved for 2br would be a mom with 1-2 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s the Mrs Murphy exemption to the FHA.

+1

[Anonymous]

https://www.coabode.org/programs/program/1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your area have a parents list serv (not anonymous like this)? I would start there. Our church also has a big list serv. I think it’s fine to say “I’m interested in offering this to another mom or single woman/female students”. You could also contact organizations that have interns, but then you are looking at needing to furnish it and having more in and out versus a longer lease. Hope it works out well for you!

Now why would you think that? Or say that if you have no idea?

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), it’s illegal to advertise housing in a way that expresses a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on sex, familial status, or other protected classes. Saying “another mom” or “single woman/female students” directly states a preference for women and excludes men, which is considered sex discrimination.

This is no different than saying “I’m interested in offering this to another white tenant or single asian students”.

FHA doesn't apply to owner occupied buildings with 4 or fewer units.

So there, "Now why would you think that? Or say that if you have no idea?" PP.
I guess you had no idea.

[Anonymous]

Posters need to be careful. Yes there is the Mrs Murphy exemption, but state or local law can override it so OP needs to confirm that. Plus OP cannot use a real estate agent, cannot advertise anything discriminatory, and under no circumstance can take race into account.

[Anonymous]

Could you join a Mother’s organization and post there? Like mothers of north Arlington or something like that.