How to Spot Illegal Steering When Looking for Miami Rental Property
It’s against the law to deny renters an apartment on the grounds of race, gender, religion and other reasons that basically discriminate. While landlords could deny you rent if your application isn’t backed up with the right financial records, denying you just because you’re black or Asian or any other discriminating reasons is against the law. If you are looking for a Miami rental property, be sure you know how to spot illegal steering tactics to get the unit you want.
Outright discouragement
Any eager landlord will point out the positive features of their property. Even if warning signs are obvious, they will still impress upon you how good a catch their apartment really is. Not all, though, because those who usually want to turn you away but cannot due to legal reasons, discourages you from renting the property. Instead of pointing out the selling features of the property, the landlord will most likely focus on the negative aspects of the building or, worse, the entire neighborhood. If you find nothing wrong, however, suspect illegal steering.
Using other tenants as an excuse
Another way of spotting illegal steering when looking for Miami rental property is when the landlord points out the disadvantages of living with the current tenants. The landlord will basically or surreptitiously tell you that you cannot live comfortably with the other tenants or will not be compatible with them. On the other hand, this would be valid if the most of the tenants likely to crank up the volume of their T.V. sets all night and you’re looking for a quite place. However, if not, and you feel like you’re being steered away from the building illegally, press your warning button and report to the right authorities.
Suggesting a certain floor of the building
You have the freedom of choosing the unit you want to rent. If there are several others and the landlord tries to cajole you into renting another you’re not keen about, this might be a sign of illegal steering that falls under the ‘segregation’ category.
Although the Miami rental property landlord doesn’t have any issue renting out the apartment to different types of people, obvious and unlawful segregation by putting certain types in one floor or section is not acceptable. You must remember to choose the unit you want regardless of the floor. Also, don’t forget to keep your options open because once you verify illegal steering, it might leave a bad taste in your mouth and make you not want the apartment anymore. Having a backup plan in this instance is important.
Mark Michael Ferrer
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