Just when I think I've seen it all... Have a 'family' that looked at an apartment to rent.

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2 years 3 weeks ago #636753 by Marc Alaia
Just when I think I've seen it all...

Have a 'family' that looked at an apartment to rent. They like it and want to apply. BF / GF and 4-month-old infant. Upon applying, turns out GF (mother of baby) is 17 yrs old. Wondering about this situation on multiple levels. Since she's under 18, does her application even count? Second, is their relationship legal and am I condoning it by renting to them? Just not comfortable with this whole situation. Anybody have any experience with anything like this, and sound advice?
2 years 3 weeks ago #636753 by Marc Alaia
Melissa Marie
2 years 3 weeks ago #636754 by Melissa Marie
The BF would have to qualify for the apt on his own. Or have a co-signer. She would be listed as an occupant
2 years 3 weeks ago #636754 by Melissa Marie
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636755 by Lesli Frazier
Under 18- she should have paperwork that she has been emancipated. If not nope she can’t sign a contract.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636755 by Lesli Frazier
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636756 by eric rivera
Lesli Roddy Frazier nope. Not if she is a mother.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636756 by eric rivera
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636757 by Heather Blume
Lesli Roddy Frazier and not necessarily in every state.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636757 by Heather Blume
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636758 by Shannon Ray
You don't need to condone anything. What is the legal age of adulthood in your state? If 18, then her application is not valid.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636758 by Shannon Ray
Tammy Hynes
2 years 3 weeks ago #636759 by Tammy Hynes
Shannon Ray , right. The word "condone" is sus...
2 years 3 weeks ago #636759 by Tammy Hynes
Lee Ann
2 years 3 weeks ago #636760 by Lee Ann
Tammy Hynes this part. Makes me concerned honestly. I hope he’s not biased towards applicants based on his personal beliefs and values.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636760 by Lee Ann
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636761 by Austin Roy
I want to say that her application should be voided and they should be screened based on just the boyfriends income. Regarding their relationship, that’s a civil matter that I think would be best to stay out of because it could get ugly. Depending on the state they are moving from or your state, 17 is the legal age to consent. I would just keep it as black and white as possible for your protection.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636761 by Austin Roy
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636762 by Amanda Buyalos
If your rental criteria state that all applicants have to be age 18 then she cannot apply. Could you make her an occupant for the time being?
2 years 3 weeks ago #636762 by Amanda Buyalos
Lee Ann
2 years 3 weeks ago #636763 by Lee Ann
Your personal feeling need to be taken out of the situation. They have to be treated like regular applicants per Fair Housing. She and the baby will be an occupant. If he doesn’t meet the rental criteria then he will need a guarantor or co-applicant that does qualify. The legality of their relationship is non of your business. Either he meet rental criteria or he doesn’t.P.S: don’t make the application process difficult. Simply tell them that she cannot be a co-applicant because she is not of legal age to sign a lease. However she can be listed as an occupant.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636763 by Lee Ann
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636764 by Joe Mendez
Lee Ann if she is underage and not his dependent how would she be an occupant? That doesn’t make sense.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636764 by Joe Mendez
Lee Ann
2 years 3 weeks ago #636765 by Lee Ann
Joe Mendez I’ve had applicants that were best friends and wanted to lease together. One was 19 the other was 17. The 17 year old was an occupant and the 19 year old was the lease holder. In Texas that is completely fine. An occupant is not required to be a dependent.Does that make sense? Also, who’s to say that she’s not a dependent of his considering her age? This is all surface level. You’re throwing a dynamic in that’s unnecessary.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636765 by Lee Ann
Eric LeBlanc
2 years 3 weeks ago #636766 by Eric LeBlanc
Joe Mendez occupant and dependent aren't the same thing. One isn't dependent on the other.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636766 by Eric LeBlanc
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636767 by Merridy Lanzy
2 years 3 weeks ago #636767 by Merridy Lanzy
Jerry Davis
2 years 3 weeks ago #636768 by Jerry Davis
2 years 3 weeks ago #636768 by Jerry Davis
Allie Gartside
2 years 3 weeks ago #636769 by Allie Gartside
Bf needs to qualify on his own, she and the baby will be listed as occupants. If he can’t qualify on his own, then I’d recommend seeing when she turns 18 and apply then. I’m not sure about emancipation laws though so look into that as someone mentioned. I viewed your profile as well and see you’re in PA. It looks like the legal age of consent there is 16. So you do need to set aside your beliefs. Treat it as you would anyone else. You don’t want to be sued over fair housing.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636769 by Allie Gartside
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636770 by Dave Scruggs
Allie Gartside Correct, just follow your State and Federal laws, don't judge.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636770 by Dave Scruggs
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636771 by Sharon McCauley
Your position is to lease according to laws and the lease in your State…not if you should “condone” someone’s life choices. Under 18 cannot enter into a legal binding contract in most states, if not all.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636771 by Sharon McCauley
Eric Rivera
2 years 3 weeks ago #636772 by Eric Rivera
As she is a mother, she can legally sign a lease at 17.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636772 by Eric Rivera
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636773 by Joe Mendez
Eric Rivera why would you think that? Is that something specific in your state? A 17 is a minor and can’t be held to a signed contract.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636773 by Joe Mendez
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636774 by eric rivera
Joe Mendez because 12 yrs experience in LIHTC and 6 HUD audits tell me so. Youre applying logic. Logic has no place in this situation Sir.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636774 by eric rivera
Marc Alaia
2 years 3 weeks ago #636775 by Marc Alaia
Eric Rivera I think you are not correct. I have looked and looked and have not seen anything that says that there is any exception to the fact that a person has to be over 18 to have a contract be legally binding. EDIT: yes they can SIGN it, but it's not enforceable if THEY break it.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636775 by Marc Alaia
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636776 by eric rivera
Marc Alaia a 17 yr old mother is deemed an adult and cannot be denied based on age alone. Yes, she must qualify on other criteria, but I have had a 17 tr old with a housing voucher that was not emancipated.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636776 by eric rivera
Marc Alaia
2 years 3 weeks ago #636777 by Marc Alaia
Eric Rivera unless you can show me a law or case law, I think that that is either overreaching by a state agency or a common belief in a organization and everyone just goes along with it.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636777 by Marc Alaia
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636778 by eric rivera
Marc Alaia well. Im sitting in my recliner watching Yellowstone atm. First chance i get i will look it up.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636778 by eric rivera
Eric LeBlanc
2 years 3 weeks ago #636779 by Eric LeBlanc
Marc Alaia yea you wont hear from Eric Rivera again on this one. At least we won't get the actual law as a reference. I have never heard of someone being instantly of legal age just because they had a baby. (I've also taken LIHTC and HUD training)
2 years 3 weeks ago #636779 by Eric LeBlanc
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636780 by eric rivera
Eric LeBlanc youre such an angry elf. Chill bro. Im looking into it. I know in my situation the girl got a voucher. Im trying to confirm her circumstances.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636780 by eric rivera
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636781 by Shannon Faith
2 years 3 weeks ago #636781 by Shannon Faith
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636782 by Rochelle Kirk
Eric Rivera not in my state you can’t, mother or not, she cannot sign a contract at 17
2 years 3 weeks ago #636782 by Rochelle Kirk
Marc Alaia
2 years 3 weeks ago #636783 by Marc Alaia
Rochelle Kirk don't waste your time. I asked him to provide any kind of proof and he can't.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636783 by Marc Alaia
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636784 by Christopher King
Being under 18 is not generally a limitation on the minor in a contract. Most often, it makes the contract voidable by the minor. This is why most people require a person to be over 18. Because they can’t enforce the contract against a minor in court.There may be other considerations in situations such as emancipation and/or legal guardianship that I am unfamiliar with. Also I would not be familiar with any state law specifics for your property. And I am not a lawyer and this should not be considered legal advice.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636784 by Christopher King
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636785 by Joe Mendez
Or instead taking advise from us, wait till tomorrow and consult your property attorney . They will steer you in the right direction
2 years 3 weeks ago #636785 by Joe Mendez
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636786 by Dave Scruggs
Minors do not have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. However, an agreement made while a person was a minor may be expressly or impliedly ratified once they reach the age of legal majority so that the agreement becomes valid and binding.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636786 by Dave Scruggs
Laura DiSabato Wyte
2 years 3 weeks ago #636787 by Laura DiSabato Wyte
She may be what they call an emancipated minor which means she could possibly be able to sign a contract in your state. Safest route is to place her on lease until she turns 18, then have her sign lease as a leaseholder. Good luck!
2 years 3 weeks ago #636787 by Laura DiSabato Wyte
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636788 by Brenda Hammett
Follow the laws of your state. And be cautious of stating your own opinions of the situation to others.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636788 by Brenda Hammett
Crystal Buchanan
2 years 3 weeks ago #636789 by Crystal Buchanan
I think you used the wrong word when you said condone… I think you meant would you be abiding by the law but as others have stated, you need to know what your state allows. In Alabama you must be 19 - doesn’t matter about their relationship or if they have a baby, etc.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636789 by Crystal Buchanan
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636790 by Jay Thompson
Your job isn’t to condone anything but follow the law.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636790 by Jay Thompson
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636791 by Jennifer Grzegorzewski
2 years 3 weeks ago #636791 by Jennifer Grzegorzewski
Ashley Rowland
2 years 3 weeks ago #636792 by Ashley Rowland
Depends on state marriage laws.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636792 by Ashley Rowland
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636793 by Karen Mallinger
Only someone 18 or older would be able to be a party to the contract. Whether the GF would be allowed to live in the apartment would be subject to what your lease says about occupants, and state/local laws. Realistically, she's going to move in, whether you approve it or not, so I would review the lease with him and discuss the consequences of having unauthorized occupants if your lease and/or the law don't permit it.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636793 by Karen Mallinger
Mel Survivor
2 years 3 weeks ago #636794 by Mel Survivor
I mind my own business follow the law and do my job...heads on beds simple
2 years 3 weeks ago #636794 by Mel Survivor
Emma Holland
2 years 3 weeks ago #636795 by Emma Holland
He does the application and she with infant are occupants on the lease
2 years 3 weeks ago #636795 by Emma Holland
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636796 by Joe Mendez
I wonder what happens when he gives her legal occupant status and the parents show up at his door because they didn’t give permission.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636796 by Joe Mendez
Steph Kwek
2 years 3 weeks ago #636797 by Steph Kwek
I had a similar situation but she was younger. We are LIHTC so I asked our compliance folks. Legally speaking she’s a dependent. Her mom had to provide a notarized document saying she could live with him. Per state compliance, anything else would be age discrimination on our part. They actually ended up being good tenants.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636797 by Steph Kwek
Vicki Hurley
2 years 3 weeks ago #636798 by Vicki Hurley
In Va you have to be 18 to sign a lease. I would qualify him only and she and baby would be occupants.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636798 by Vicki Hurley
Andrea Juliet Razevich
2 years 3 weeks ago #636799 by Andrea Juliet Razevich
In Oregon, a woman is considered automatically emancipated if they are 15 and over and have a child
2 years 3 weeks ago #636799 by Andrea Juliet Razevich
Lisa Michelle Allen England
2 years 3 weeks ago #636800 by Lisa Michelle Allen England
I’ve been married for 43 years. I say this because 43 years ago I was this 17 year old girl, my husband had just turned 18. My Mother! and husband signed the lease and I, along with our baby was listed as occupants until I turned 18.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636800 by Lisa Michelle Allen England
Leeanne Mentzer
2 years 3 weeks ago #636801 by Leeanne Mentzer
Lisa Michelle Allen England this
2 years 3 weeks ago #636801 by Leeanne Mentzer
Nadeen Green
2 years 3 weeks ago #636802 by Nadeen Green
Please consult an attorney! Depending on where this situation is occurring the young woman may be a legally emancipated adult.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636802 by Nadeen Green
Matthew Moffett
2 years 3 weeks ago #636803 by Matthew Moffett
Nadeen Green great advice!
2 years 3 weeks ago #636803 by Matthew Moffett
Darcy Diedrich
2 years 3 weeks ago #636804 by Darcy Diedrich
Do not judge and follow your local/state laws. Under 18 should not be able to legally sign a legal document. But again, check your local laws.
2 years 3 weeks ago #636804 by Darcy Diedrich
Betty Wright
2 years 3 weeks ago #636805 by Betty Wright
In some states if she’s had a child she’s considered an adult. Check with Legal
2 years 3 weeks ago #636805 by Betty Wright
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636806 by Michelle Sykes
If she legally emancipated can’t she be treated as of legal age?
2 years 3 weeks ago #636806 by Michelle Sykes
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2 years 3 weeks ago #636807 by Shannon Faith
Just a thought.... can she be an occupant but also be the boyfriends dependent? depending on if she claims herself or if someone else claims her as a dependent...
2 years 3 weeks ago #636807 by Shannon Faith