What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri
I think my landlord is actively trying to discourage international tenants.
Some back story: I've been living in the States for a little while. I spent 5 years living in Wisconsin. During this time, I live in various apartments under different companies. It's not because of any problem, but I just like new neighbourhood (and sometimes better rent). This is quite normal there. During this 5 years, I think I've been a good tenant: I pay my rent on time (direct deposit mostly) and sometimes pay in advance, no complaints, never given any notice, etc. Except for my first apartment, no one ever asked me about national origin and never had mine affected any decision.
About a month ago, I moved to Missouri for a new job. My employer is a local state university. I have a fine income and good credit score, all of which I submitted to my landlord. I moved in quite a hurry, because I just secured my apartment about a week before I moved in, so we signed the lease at the same time I moved in. In our email correspondence before, my landlord (a Chinese couple) wrote that my deposit is $200, which is great. When I came to their office, she announced that my deposit is $700, because I'm 'international'. I'm not happy, but I'm really tired and must show up for work on Monday, so I signed anyway. I have a receipt for my deposit. This slipped off my mind for a while.
Now, my friend, who is a green card holder, wants to join me in the unit (so we'll share a room). He doesn't have rental history, because he used to live in parents' and relatives' house. The landlord tried to pull the same trick with him again. Moreover, she tried to make him get a co-signer.
I have 2 questions:
First, is it a reasonable (assuming it's actually legal) to ask more deposit from me, after deciding I am 'international'? Is it a different treatment based on national origin? Can I actually ask the money back now?
Second, is it actually reasonable to ask my friend to do the same? Co-signer is may be necessary, but isn't he going to live with me and I already paid the deposit on the apartment?
It's not really the money here, but rather for them specifically adding this custom policy for us.
I think my landlord is actively trying to discourage international tenants.
Some back story: I've been living in the States for a little while. I spent 5 years living in Wisconsin. During this time, I live in various apartments under different companies. It's not because of any problem, but I just like new neighbourhood (and sometimes better rent). This is quite normal there. During this 5 years, I think I've been a good tenant: I pay my rent on time (direct deposit mostly) and sometimes pay in advance, no complaints, never given any notice, etc. Except for my first apartment, no one ever asked me about national origin and never had mine affected any decision.
About a month ago, I moved to Missouri for a new job. My employer is a local state university. I have a fine income and good credit score, all of which I submitted to my landlord. I moved in quite a hurry, because I just secured my apartment about a week before I moved in, so we signed the lease at the same time I moved in. In our email correspondence before, my landlord (a Chinese couple) wrote that my deposit is $200, which is great. When I came to their office, she announced that my deposit is $700, because I'm 'international'. I'm not happy, but I'm really tired and must show up for work on Monday, so I signed anyway. I have a receipt for my deposit. This slipped off my mind for a while.
Now, my friend, who is a green card holder, wants to join me in the unit (so we'll share a room). He doesn't have rental history, because he used to live in parents' and relatives' house. The landlord tried to pull the same trick with him again. Moreover, she tried to make him get a co-signer.
I have 2 questions:
First, is it a reasonable (assuming it's actually legal) to ask more deposit from me, after deciding I am 'international'? Is it a different treatment based on national origin? Can I actually ask the money back now?
Second, is it actually reasonable to ask my friend to do the same? Co-signer is may be necessary, but isn't he going to live with me and I already paid the deposit on the apartment?
It's not really the money here, but rather for them specifically adding this custom policy for us.
