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August 21, 2008 at 2:30 am #633562
JanSParticipantOK…is it time for that ice cream now? Is there really a point to going on about this now that it’s all out in the open? NR..JoB does have a huge list of places that she’s looked at. I know she’d be glad to help you find a place if you’re still looking. I know at least a couple are in the area that you’re in now, or a close proximity…maybe you should check some of them out…just sayin’ :)
August 21, 2008 at 2:42 am #633563
SarahScootParticipantJenV may not be the owner/landlord of the property, but she is essentially publicly advertising and screening potential tenants in what amounts to an advertisement for the apartment. Therefore, she is walking a fine line in regards to the Fair Housing Act, Section 804: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/housing/title8.htm
Though it doesn’t specifically say “political belief,” I would tend to classify that alongside “religion” in this case. It would be o.k. if JenV made this vacancy known among friends and family who could then point compatible people her way, but to publicly post its availability and then refuse certain people viewing and possible renting rights on those grounds is not acceptable.
August 21, 2008 at 2:54 am #633564
mellaw6565MemberI was thinking the same thing Sarah – there are some very strict rules about refusing applicants when advertising a rental.
I’m appalled at the way NR has been treated – perhaps she should see one of the free lawyers at the landlord/tenant clinic.
It’s hard enough in today’s times to find an affordable place to live – why make it harder?
August 21, 2008 at 3:07 am #633565
JanSParticipantI think (oh what a bad thing to do at times)….that even JT knew early on that this wouldn’t work for her friend and JenV (comment # 22). And perhaps a hint to her friend would have been nice and all of this could have been avoided (it’s my opinion, don’t jump on me, please). It’s gotten way out of hand. Just one? day ago NR said she was in Phoenix and it was 105. She isn’t/wasn’t even here to view said duplex. JenV was hoping to have this rented by Sept. 01. NR is just starting to look, and probably hasn’t packed a box yet. It’s now Aug. 20….I think everyone has made their point..but..c’mon folks…is it about really renting a place or making a point now? And…if I might make one more eensy teensy suggestion if it’s to go on. Before we’re throwing JenV in the slammer for violating the Housing act, could this maybe go offline? Maybe the two parties, IF they want to, could exchange e-mail addresses, and allow the second guessing that everyone is doing fade away.
my 2cents…going back into my hole now :)
August 21, 2008 at 3:12 am #633566
mellaw6565MemberNo one is suggesting the slammer – just suggesting that a publicly advertised rental is subject to some legal constraints that she may want to consider.
August 21, 2008 at 3:15 am #633567
JanSParticipantand a suggestion for NR to perhaps avail herself of a lawyer…actually her bf is a lawyer…he could advise her if she wants to pursue this. But…the question is…if it was you, would you want to, just to make a point? Really? I just read the Fair Housing Act, and I don’t see anything in there about not showing or renting because you don’t get along with each other or like each other…
August 21, 2008 at 3:24 am #633568
JoBParticipantbefore you get up in arms here and send New Resident screeching for an attorney.. let’s do a reality check.
which one of you actually thinks that NewResident and JenV could share a roof, let alone a water heater?
Do you see the pairing of these two women in close proximity as a good thing?
To quote JT
can i visualize you 2 as neighbors?
That’s the point where you go.. oops, bad idea… and let this whole thing go..
Instead NR and friends paint JenV as the bad guy for saying what is obvious to anyone who reads these forums… what was obvious to JT before she diecided everyone was beating up on NR.
I have responded to Craigslist advs with the following:
“We are a mid-age professional couple.. a senior software engineer recruited by Amazon and a stay at home writer with two 30 pound crate trained dogs who are never left unattended.
I am interested in viewing your home.”
I would guess that over half of those i contact have declined to respond to my request for a showing of their rental.
Should i be looking for an atty to sue all of those who chose to discriminate against a mid age couple.. or possibly 2 dogs.. or maybe it’s that i am a writer? Who knows?
For whatever reason, they didn’t feel i would be a good match for them..
and if they felt that way it’s pretty certain i wouldn’t.
It’s not so different here. jenV chose not to respond to NewResident’s request for a showing…
and when she persisted.. told her they wouldn’t be a good fit.
Sometimes you should just take no for an answer and move on.. instead of blowing things completely out of proportion.
August 21, 2008 at 3:30 am #633569
mellaw6565MemberJoB – I don’t know anything about any of the bad blood between NR and JenV as I don’t read any of the political threads usually. Can’t comment on either one of them personally as I’ve never met them.
But I think what was done to NR publicly was inappropriate and my only advice was that NR may want to go to a Landlord/tenant clinic, not to go against JenV, but to see what her rights are regarding rentals. JenV may want to go as well – perhaps they should go together? Who knows?
I just know that reading this thread publicly may be others who work for the Housing Dept and it may put JenV and her landlords in a bad position. Perhaps her landlords should do the initial screening and then she can meet prospective tenants as they are sent over. Seems to me that if JenV has known her landlords for years, they would have a good idea who would be a good fit for her as well.
No one, including NR, should be bashed personally and publicly on this forum. It was inappropriate.
August 21, 2008 at 3:36 am #633570
mellaw6565MemberBTW JoB – I have been a landlord and in the past have always wanted to look for a “senior” or “elderly” tenant, but was told that to advertise or accept only those applicants was illegal. It doesn’t stop me from giving consideration to elderly applicants, but legally I have to show and accept all applicants for consideration. From there, no one can tell me in my head who I want to rent to or not, but at least I’ve allowed all persons to view and apply. That’s my only concern for JenV’s public refusal.
Otherwise – I don’t have an opinion either way about either of them.
August 21, 2008 at 3:41 am #633571
JoBParticipantyou don’t need to read every thread on the forum mellaw6565.. all you need to do is read this thread.
i believe velvetbulldog put it pretty well…
she was wondering who was going to hold the bets on how soon world war three would erupt if New Resident moved in above JenV.
I am wondering whether the hot air balloon that is being generated over this non-issue is going to explode or just float away as it should.
you might want to read the entire thread before you pump more air into it.
August 21, 2008 at 3:50 am #633572
mellaw6565MemberI did read the thread, and again, I’ve never seen any other exchanges between them on the blog and don’t know much about either, but I think bashing NR publicly as was done was inappropriate and could have been handled better.
I cringe when I see people trying to get housing and get excluded when I know how hard it is to find a decent rental. I only seconded someone else’s post about possible legal complications from such a public denial.
Why is it that other’s can’t offer suggestions JoB – either to NR or JenV?
August 21, 2008 at 3:55 am #633573
JoBParticipantAugust 21, 2008 at 4:03 am #633574
WSMomParticipantI remember reading a parenting tip in a book that I thought was helpful…don’t be too patient. You see, if you are too patient you let behaviors continue far longer than they should, and you end up building frustration and anger, then you over-react in response. Frankly, and I know I’m opening myself up to being beat up here, I think the folks on this forum have been too patient with NR.
August 21, 2008 at 4:04 am #633575
mellaw6565MemberHow is what I said adding air? Or any different than the responses you have given?
August 21, 2008 at 4:28 am #633576
JoBParticipantmellaw6565..
sorry if i was testy…
I felt what you said encouraged New Resident to make more of this than it is ..
Yes, there were a couple of rude comments made to New Resident.. but TR stepped in and chastised those who were making rude personal comments.
She made the choice to continue.
I felt my remarks to her were appropriate.. and not unkind.
And i was a little frustrated at being painted as a bad guy when i genuinely offered to help her and was rebuffed for my efforts.
I think i still am…
August 21, 2008 at 4:37 am #633577
AnonymousInactiveOMG!!! This is absolutely crazy!
That’s really nice, WSMom, especially since I have met you in person and we have had very pleasant conversations. Thanks.
Mellaw – I appreciate your info regarding the Fair Housing Act and can easily run it by my bf who is, in fact, an attorney. He will know for sure if this is legal or not.
I would only want to know the legalities of this issue for my own curiosity, I would never pursue anything as dumb as this in a court of law. If people want to act like they are in high school (i.e., “I don’t like you”, “you are not allowed to be my neighbor ’cause I said so”), that’s their problem.
What is so hilarious to me is that I never considered, for a minute, that I would be excluded from being a possible renter at JenV’s duplex. Sure, JenV and I have had debates on the forum, but to personally dismiss anyone because you have debated with them is sad.
Sometimes I wonder how certain people deal with real things in the real world; and then I go to work and realize that they can’t! LOL!
August 21, 2008 at 4:49 am #633578
JoBParticipantReally New Resident?
You can’t imagine why someone would be so nice talking with you in person and then criticize you?
i seem to remember that you had met me in person and had really nice conversation with me and hugged me and everything before you started saying some really nasty things to and about me on the forum that far surpassed criticism.
this is maybe a good time to mention that thing about not thowing stones when you live in a glass house.
there is a big difference between exclusion and not being invited… but we’ve had that discussion before.
when i email people on craig’s list, i am often not invited to view their rentals. That doesn’t necessarily mean i am being excluded.. it simply means that for whatever reason, they did not extend an invitation to me to view their rental.
You have choices here. You can choose to see this as exclusion and make a bigger deal out of it.. or you can write that one off and find someplace that will work better to live.
your choice.
August 21, 2008 at 5:19 am #633579
SarahScootParticipantHmm I thought I was the one that posted the FHA info, NewRes. ;-)
Good luck in your search; hope the next prospect goes a little more smoothly.
August 21, 2008 at 5:39 am #633580
AnonymousInactiveSarahScoot – You are absolutely right, my deepest apologies!
Thank you for the kind words and the info regarding the FHA. I think it’s very easy for people to forget that this is a public forum and anything posted here can be considered written documentation. I have seem some very amazing things disclosed here, not everything legal.
I think you were trying to be neutral and helpful to all involved. I appreciate it.
August 21, 2008 at 5:54 am #633581
JenVMemberoh fer crissakes. knock it off. I don’t like NR for who she is, not what she is. over the course of these forums, that is all I need. no political affiliation. one of my closest friends is an…gasp…R! and I would be happy to have him and his GF live upstairs. I stand by my opinion. and that is all it is, is my opinion of her-and how she and I would get along.
and JT, I HAVE met you in person, and liked you.
August 21, 2008 at 7:07 am #633582
beachdrivegirlParticipantMellaw6565-i like your objective opinion and N good luck.
August 21, 2008 at 7:09 am #633583
beachdrivegirlParticipantDo we really need ANOTHER refresher course in rules??? if you cant play by them find another place to play? it is that simple and will make it that more enjoyable for people.
August 21, 2008 at 7:35 am #633584
charlabobParticipantI don’t think anybody needs a refresher course in rules — perhaps one in candor and honesty.
There’s nothing enjoyable about this, BDG — the question is who is and who isn’t playing by the rules and/or making this an unpleasant place. Believe it or not, it’s not all that obvious and folks here will never agree; hence, it’s not enjoyable.
Every n months we seem to have to go through some purge o’ nastiness when we all feign ignorance and innocence and then blow up. Old likes and dislikes jump up; people spot an opportunity to snark at an old “enemy” and we’re off.
BTW, if anyone thinks Jen’s original “Hey, anyone want to move into a soon-to-be-vacant apartment?” constitutes an advertisement that falls under fair housing laws, they should probably study law a bit more carefully. If I were sitting in a bar, talking with JoB about houses she’d found, and someone overheard me and demanded to know where the house was because it sounded good, I would have zero obligationo to tell them.
Everytime we go through this, a line from a very old folk song keeps running through my head. “I don’t like anybody very much.”
BTW, thank you WSM — I couldn’t agree more.
August 21, 2008 at 2:21 pm #633585
JimmyGMemberMy 5th grade teacher was Mrs Baker.
She was THE best teacher to have out on the playground during recess.
August 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm #633586
JenVMemberhow about this rule, BDG- mind your own business and don’t fan the flames of a fight you’re not involved in. Is it really that simple?
frankly, NR had the opportunity to take this off board as much as I did, but she wanted to whine here about how she’s again being discriminated against. whaaaa…I am straight and not invited to the LBGT party! whaaaa….JenV and I are not friends and she doesn’t want to be my neighbor. And for anyone else to chime in with their opinions on this is plain ridiculous. but you know what they say about opinions…like certain parts of your anatomy- everyone’s got one.
Discussion CLOSED.
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