Single Mums with kids

[Soren Lorenson]

this might open up a can or worms

Is it discriminatory to refuse a rental property to a single mum application with kids on centrelink?

are you asking for trouble renting to a high risk tenant (In my opinion)

any advices? on what basis can you refuse?

 

[Raddles]

Hi there
we had an application in by someone on centrelink benefits - our PM recommended that we decline the application.
This particular PM office do have a policy when they are looking at people's wages that the rent should not be any more than 1/3 of their weekly wage.
I don't see any problem with declining an application if you feel the rent is outside that person's capacity to pay - whether they are a single mum or whatever their situation.
thanks

 

[jaycee]

You can refuse on the basis that you dont want that particular tenant.

If you are stupid enough to tell the tenant that because she is an umarried woman with a child, that makes her high risk & typically, like all unmarried women with a child(ren) she does not know how to live & manage here life & bills, then expect trouble

I just had 2 applications, 1 with good rental history, 1 with any & reuiring to organise a deposit from Homeswest (whatever it's called now) - the pm gave me both details but recommended the one with the rental history, I agreed, then simple, I certainly didn't have to go into any detail to the tenant, the pm told them they were unsuccesful... Are you managing privately & thinking of how to say no to the wrong applicants ?

 

[Soren Lorenson]

http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/types of discrimination/accommodation/default.asp

 

[alexlee]

It is discriminatory if you SAY you're refusing because they're a single parent with kids. But you don't have to say that. You don't actually have to give a reason why.

Though I do rent one of my places to a single parent with kids who gets benefits from centrelink. I get the payment from centrelink first, and don't have any problems with the tenant.
Alex