College Rentals and The Fair Housing Act

The more I get involved in local apartment communities, and with helping them manage their advertising towards students at local colleges, the more I realize that the fair housing act does not really apply in some situations.

College apartments are typically the cheapest around college towns, unless its one of those ritzy new places whos tenants have mom and dad supporting their living needs. We see many different types of "rent qualifying" measures being taken to ensure that new tenants will mesh with the current residents. For the most part, this just means that managers look to screen out families, espcially high risk families, because not only will they most likely be disgusted with the noise and partying that goes on in these complexes, but they are also at a higher risk of being kicked out for not paying rent. This is because most of these landlords require Mom and Dad to sign for the student to say that they will pay the rent if the student cant make it happen.

This is a great situation for the management because they get guaranteed rent from a "low income" demographic.

There is only so much that can be done to make things fair. Most of these properties only advertise on campus or in media that is populated by a large majority of students, keeping their exposure limited towards other demographics who are interested in these great rent prices.

You can see for yourself what these great prices are for Off Campus Housing.

It begins.....

With all the movement in the Real Estate market over the past few years, and with opportunities coming and going, I have made it my goal through this site to educate those involved in or interested in the Real Estate Markets around college campus nationwide.

I hope to be able to create a source here for information, linking you, our guests, to all the most helpful resources available which cover the topics of Renting, Listing Apartments, Lease Agreements, Purchasing Real Estate near campuses, and things to look out for as a renter/landlord in these areas.

Please feel free to contact me with information you would like to add to this blog so that I may be able to pass the information on to all who are interested.