Landlords Refusing to Rent to the Tattooed and Pierced
It's against the law for landlords to discriminate based on the color of a person's skin. But can they reject you because of what's on your skin? Some San Antonio apartment complexes are refusing to rent to people with tattoos and body piercings. Gilbert Carrillo thinks tattoos are an artform. He's been to tattoo conventions and one of his tattoos was featured in a magazine. "Ever since I was
More.. 18, to now, 25, bit by bit, covering up here, covering up there."
But last month, Carrillo's tattoos kept him and his wife, Melissa, from moving into an apartment complex called the Villas at Medical Center. "We liked the apartment, we brought them a check for the deposit and a check for the application fee," says Melissa. Later, Gilbert went by to look at the apartment wearing a short sleeve shirt. The next day, the Carrillos were told they didn't qualify to live there, because the tattoos on Gilbert's arms violated the policy on personal appearance.
"For them to be so judgmental on a person's appearance, and for them to judge someone based on them having a tattoo is just ridiculous, you know," says Melissa. The Carrillos were also upset that the manager refused to refund their full $70 application fee. But mostly, they feel the policy is discriminatory. The apartment manager, Daisy Salazar, said she wasn't allowed to talk to us. "We have our own lawyers, I can't speak to anyone," said Salazar. But we didn't give up. We contacted one of the owners of the apartments: A southern California doctor named Edward Frankel.
Frankel e-mailed us a statement saying his apartment complexes do, in fact, "reject prospective tenants who have... tattoos exposed on the neck, head, hands and wrists, or large tattoos that cover over 40% of the lower or upper arm." Frankel says, "We do not discriminate. The above applies to persons of any race, color, gender, etc." Frankel, and his partners, have purchased numerous upscale apartment complexes in San Antonio and Dallas, where they've also banned pierced eyebrows and tongues.
Tenants can't have more than one nose piercing, or more than five earrings. Local fair housing officials say the rules may be unusual, but they are not illegal. "Refusing to rent to somebody because they have tattoos may be unfair, but it's not discrimination under the fair housing act, unless the tattoos are specific to the person's religion or national origin," says Sandy Tamez of the San Antonio Fair Housing Council.
The apartment complex did refund the Carrillos' full application fee. But the couple is still angry that a landlord would consider body art to be the mark of a bad tenant.
SOURCE: http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=57db782b-9874-4b37-aa00-0402ab8a7ab1
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Comments - sort by newest to oldest
I have 8 tattoos and used to have two piercings. This story is a bummer.
Posted Sep-24-2007 by "Facetious for Kicks" Premium
I have sleeves beginning at my wrists and have no problem with them having their policy! I wouldn't want to give them my money anyways! The prospective tenants should get the deposit back though, if the policy wasn't clearly stated in the application contract!
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "jonnymordant" (R)
How much new ink will you be able to get after you win your case against these discriminating as//oles? Never judge a persons character by how they look or you shall lose out knowing the most intelligent among us. When the old die, so will thier opinions and hangups.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "Cementhead" (R)
They did get the deposit back luckily. Interesting take jonny. We both know that normal people have tattoos, so why in the hell should we spend our money where it is not welcomed. Cheers bro.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "Facetious for Kicks" Premium
i've got my entire right arm (from wrist to shoulder) tattooed and i hate the sight of it, i'm currently spending £300($600) a session to have it removed with laser treatment. i've had 6 sessions and some of it could take up to 30 ?? (it hurts a hell of a lot more coming off than going on)
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "howsey" (R)
Ouch, sorry about that. I heard the removal was much more painful.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "Facetious for Kicks" Premium
Ouch, sorry about that. I heard the removal was much more painful.
it hurts like a ***** :~) iv'e had blisters the size of plums on my arm but you live and learn and what doesn't kill you.................
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "howsey" (R)
Interesting post FfK, seems like an 80's thing... most cops and a lawyer here and there I know have tats too... I have many outlines (never got around to colouring 'em in)...
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "Interloper" (R)
They did get the deposit back luckily. Interesting take jonny. We both know that normal people have tattoos, so why in the hell should we spend our money where it is not welcomed. Cheers bro.
I hold the same view for employers as well, if they don't want to hire me then it's their loss, I do make an exception for customers however as I believe in the old adage that "The Customer is King", this is because the customer is Spending money on me, not Making money off me! Simple Mathematics really Bro'!
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "jonnymordant" (R)
Im tattooed fairly heavily and love my tatts....this is just narrow minded bullshit,**** these people.I don't ever want to have anything to do with people like this.....**** em.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "jdischord" (R)
How'd his credit check turn out?Thats the only question that matters.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "BuckMeHoff" (B)
People still rent apartments?
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "Rizing Sun" (R)
As most of you know i do have quite a few tats. In my yonger days nose peirced twice and ears done six time. (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh my old punk days.
I do not regret any of my tats, they each take me back to a time and a place. I was advised by an old friend when i started getting them. Never above the neck or below the elbows and i have stuck to it.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "chris_k" (R)
I have absolutely no pity. I've got ink, nothing impressive, in fact one...nix that more than one, was done while under AN influence and the inker was well influenced too. But at least I knew through the haze that like or lump it, it was still gonna be there 20 years from that day. If you get inked, you take your own chances. Luckily society is coming around, but on the whole the rule is cover up while on the job or in a situation where you want respect. AND YES THAT SUX AND I DON'T STICK TO IT, but on the whole that's the rule. I have a mohawk, but I don't spray it up to goto the office, my decision, and I have a job. You have tattoos you you don't cover, your decision, you don't have an apartment. At least not that one. You get the one below that one. Next to the bar. :)
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "wags" (R)
I have no tats and never will. And my children won't have any. And like you guys, i'm proud to have not. Now i have an strong opinion about tattoos but you will not be judged by the colors on your body but by 'the colors of your mind'. Even if the landlord was offering me the house I will refuse because of pissing on my nr. 1 rule: live and let live.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "badMother" (R)