How much control do I have over who I live with?

Or, How do Fair Housing laws apply to home sharing?

You may have heard about Fair Housing laws. The US Federal Government recognizes seven protected classes: race, color, national origin, religion, sex/gender identity, familial status, and disability. The State of California also adds source of income, assistance animals, language and immigration status to the list of reasons you can’t discriminate against someone when considering renting an apartment to them (a completely separate living space). There are exceptions to Fair Housing Laws when it comes to home sharing because you are living in the same space. You always have the final say on who you live with.

For example, some people have health concerns with smells, chemicals, etc. and you are under no obligation to share your home with someone who is unable or unwilling to honor your wishes there. You should avoid saying that you’d only rent to someone of a specific political party or supporter of a specific candidate. But you also don’t have to tell anyone why you didn’t choose them for a housemate. Keep in mind that, the more picky you are, the less likely you will be able to find someone who meets your criteria. You can save everyone's time by being clear about your needs and preferences.

Think about who you may or may not be willing to live with. Are there any "deal-breakers" that would automatically exclude someone from consideration? No one will be forced to live with someone they don't want to. But, remember, the more deal-breakers on your list, the longer it will take you to find someone. Feel free to discuss any personal dealbreakers in the comments below. You'll probably find that while there are some common deal breakers (pets being the biggest), what is a deal breaker for one person may not even be a consideration for someone else. The most important thing is to know yourself.

Remember: The home provider has the ultimate authority to decide who they live with when homesharing.

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