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 oldest to newest
What's the matter, did a guy like me beat you up too much growing up? or was it cause your wife you for a guy like me>?
Posted Oct-30-2008 by "rivothead13" (R)
Please change you name to dickwand. I own my own home and what it looks like has nothing to do with the ink on my body. I live in an area that is very family minded. Most people who live here have for the past 40 years. I care for the lawns of my inlaws, my granmother inlaw and the old man across the street because I take pride in my property and the way it looks. They are too old to do so properly without paying an arm and a leg so I do it for free. I have done so much with my house since I bought it 4 years ago that when the county redid the property valuations mine went up $50,000. I own my own business and have for the past twenty years. I also have done volunteer work in the local schools for the past 8 years, teaching music enrichment classes. All while sporting heavy ink. One full sleave and one half sleeve and a ton of smaller ones. I have a tattoo on my wrist exactly like the one on a man that is closer to me than my own brother. My childrens names are placed on my body so they see them every day. There is not a week that goes by that I do not catch one of my children tracing the letters of their name on my skin.
I care for my body. Last winter I cut, split stacked 10 cords of wood for my extended family. By myself!!!! By Hand!!!! That was 30 truck loads. I worked for 2 hours per morning 2 days per week before going to "work". If I did not care for my body I would not be able to do this at the age of 42.
So, Mr. Dickwand, your arrognace is only eclipsed by your stupidity.
Posted Aug-24-2008 by "EricUpton" (R)
No kidding.... Right there with ya.
Posted Mar-29-2008 by "jtcruzzinsomemore" (B)
Would you go into a bank to get a loan for $300,000 in shorts, T-shirt, and sandals? NOPE
So when you go somewhere like that or where you should be presentable, try a long sleeve shirt or jacket or anything.
I dont blame the apartments.
I have a tatto from my toes to my thigh, all around but I dont wear shorts to the doctor, bank, work, or anywhere else I need to be presentable or uphold an image.
I dont mind at all and probably have tattos then most people on here.
Posted Mar-29-2008 by "jtcruzzinsomemore" (B)
I have several tattoo's also. I made sure to place them in locations where I can cover them when needed. You all know that getting a tattoo is making a visual statement about your personality and your demeanor in life. So those out there, don't complain because you are refused due to tattoo's. You made the choice now you have to live with some limitations. No cry babies please!!!!
Posted Sep-26-2007 by "getrealpeople" (R)
goodway to deal with this... crack the car window.. drive by, and throw a stone at the window of the manager apartment
Posted Sep-26-2007 by "citer123" (R)
I have 4 tats, but if I owned rental property, I wouldn't rent it to that. He got his money back, so he needs to stop pissing & moaning.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "gangsta_dogsta" (R)
Sucks to be judged in such a way, but if you're going to cover yourself in tattoos and piercings, you'd better be prepared for the consequences whether you agree with them or not.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "mysterio666" (R)
The funny thing about a tattoo is those people say it's their way to express themselves, showing their individuality. Fine with me but what's the popular 'tribal' thing then? It is -ofcourse- bulls. In psychology it is called 'attribution'.
Some say it is special and has a meaning. All I see are the cliches: the everlasting Yin-Yang symbol. Or even worse, some weird chinese characters basically stating: Peking Duck. I have to agree with squidder most of the tattoos are 'fourth rate art'.
"Tattooing is the worlds oldest form of status in
many cultures" Sure, as it comes to the classy part: in western culture it was used by inmates, sailers and soldiers: mainly lower working class. And it still is IMAO.
However, if you want to tattoo " **** You' on your forehead, feel free to do so. But don't ask for social security...
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "badMother" (R)
not in my block, you wouldnt, sir. not at all interested in taking the money of someone permanently cross on his left side-what a silly idea as well. whats the job you're in, out of interest...?
before i start i am NOT racist but i think you maybe a black man squidder ( if i'm wrong correct me), with the history of racism aimed at your people i'm a little suprised you would single out people with tatoos and subject them to this kind of obvious discrimination. don't judge me by the colour of my skin
i, sir, am a happy man. dat's all you need to be knowin'.ive got no problem slating da tatoo people. jus like i dont want to receive advertising in m house, uninvited, so i dont want their visual facism jackbooting my retina. they attention seek, and this is my attention...blanch their thurd rate pictures with emery board, and read the grafitti...in dair blood....no, only kidding...people with tattoos are people with tattoos...my choice to read ideology and values into them is experience and instinct. i trust these two classifications alot more than a tattoo, wether it says mum or jesus, both are a signal of imbalance and emotional flatulence.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "squidder" (R)
not in my block, you wouldnt, sir. not at all interested in taking the money of someone permanently cross on his left side-what a silly idea as well. whats the job you're in, out of interest...?
before i start i am NOT racist but i think you maybe a black man squidder ( if i'm wrong correct me), with the history of racism aimed at your people i'm a little suprised you would single out people with tatoos and subject them to this kind of obvious discrimination. don't judge me by the colour of my skin
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "howsey" (R)
Have you ever been with a girl with pierced nipples or a clitoris? Me neither. But I knew a girl that had a pierced tongue :p*
The best neighboorhoods to live in are the ones with the fewest tatooed "sell outs". Self-mutilating garbage has no place in my neighboorhood. Tattoos show how weak you are. Ultra-conservative all the way.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "scan366" (R)
You know is funny how this backwoods sense of thinking still exists. How many serial Killers/Mass Murderers you know that had blatantly obvious tattoos or piercings?
How many times have you heard on the News "Oh he was just the quietest, nicest neighbor. He was just a terrific person. We were all shocked...."
Tattooing is the worlds oldest form of status in many cultures. Why get something done if you have to cover it up?
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "D4rkNRG" (R)
not in my block, you wouldnt, sir. not at all interested in taking the money of someone permanently cross on his left side-what a silly idea as well. whats the job you're in, out of interest...?
Powdered Metal.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "D4rkNRG" (R)
Apartments are PRIVATE property - If the owner does not want you there - bye bye.
If you want the govt to RULE over you and demand total obedience, then move to moscow ... Theran is lovely place this time of year for you.
Posted Sep-25-2007 by "spadata"