Situation: A Michigan landlord rejected an otherwise qualified African-American applicant after an online check revealed that he had been convicted of a felony in connection with a domestic disturbance four years earlier. While acknowledging the conviction, the applicant insisted that he was fully rehabilitated.
Although source of income isn’t a protected class under the FHA, the contention is that excluding recipients of child support, Section 8 vouchers, unemployment benefits, veterans benefits, etc., has a disparate and discriminatory impact on the disabled and people of certain races, national origins, etc., who disproportionately rely on these source
You Make the Call: Did the landlord’s credit score minimum policy discriminate?
Answer: Yes
Answer: You should discuss this with the applicant. Reasonable cause for rejection includes the failure of their references to respond to your request for verification within the time allowed for acceptance or rejection.
Answer: The applicable statute is ORS 90.304. In summary, it provides as follows:
1. If you require an applicant to pay a screening charge and the application is denied (or if the applicant makes a written request following your denial of an application) you must promptly provide the applicant with a written statement of one or more reasons for the denial.