Pregnant with occupancy questions...

[doc2b]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

Hope that someone can clarify for my future reference...

My husband and I are looking for a short term lease pending a job transfer (3-6 months). We are expecting a baby in early April and just need a small place for now since most of our items are in storage in another state. I had an encounter with a leasing agent last week when I went to look at an apartment that offered a short term lease. She told me that, being pregnant, it was against the law for her or other landlords to rent a one bedroom or studio to my husband and I and that I would only be allowed to rent two bedroom apartments. She was rude, and when I asked her for her source so I could verify this for future reference, she told me to look elsewhere...I wasn't welcome to rent from them, anyway.

Needless to say, I wasn't interested in living at this place after our "pleasant" conversation. However, it is important now for me to know if what she said was valid. I don't want any problems with landlords after moving into a place, but I also don't want to pay for more space than we need for such a short time. Is anyone aware of the specifics regarding renting to expectant mothers?

Can my husband and I be denied a one bedroom? There are only two occupants (hubby and I), until April, then baby makes three...

 

[seniahrose]

You can be denied a studio apt, as they are intended mostly for 1 person, however I have children of my own and know for a fact from previous renting experience that if it is a short-term they cannot deny you a one bedroom becasue the laws alow a newborn to room in with the parents up until the age of 1. so that lady was probably just not interested in renting to you or she was just not someone you'd wanna deal with anyway. good luck searching.

 

[doc2b]

You can be denied a studio apt, as they are intended mostly for 1 person, however I have children of my own and know for a fact from previous renting experience that if it is a short-term they cannot deny you a one bedroom becasue the laws alow a newborn to room in with the parents up until the age of 1. so that lady was probably just not interested in renting to you or she was just not someone you'd wanna deal with anyway. good luck searching.

The studio part I understand...it was more of a loft apartment, studio style (1100sqft), so it was big enough, but no separate living spaces.

Thank you so much for the info...I like to go into situations as prepared as possible

 

[mommyof4]

What about your husband's kids that spend appx. half of the week with y'all?

 

[doc2b]

We are making sure we provide personal space and living areas for them. The place I got turned away from had the one bedroom floorplan with a "den/additional bedroom" or the studio with more square footage than a normal two bedroom apartment for the same price as the one bedroom, and a divider wall (with no door) that would have been great for them.

I contacted a couple of apartments locally this afternoon and asked them about the occupancy laws, and they said that it's typically "two heartbeats" per bedroom/living area, so as long as we have the den/additional bedroom type floorplan or a two bedroom, we should be good in most places. They also told me the pregnancy should not have been an issue, so I'll keep looking with confidence.

 

[VeronicaLodge]

2 heartbeats per bedroom? man the brady's would have had a problem!

 

[OHlandlord]

HUD occupancy guidelines are 2 per bedroom + 1. So a one bedroom would be fine for the 3 of you. However, some child support courts frown on not having a bedroom for those children that visit over the weekends. Some judges insist that they have a bedroom (or at least their own bed) also. How does your court feel on this? Would the children's mother have a fit (and call the court) if they don't have a bedroom too? Or would she be reasonable since it is only for a few months?

 

[doc2b]

The kids' mom and my husband are both okay with each other's respective living situations as they stand (the kids have a bedroom that they share at both homes, and each have their own bed at both homes). I guess it depends on the place we choose. If a room is designated as a "den/additional bedroom", I'm only assuming that it would qualify as an additional room that would be sufficient for another two occupants. We'll avoid lofts/studios altogether since the living areas are non-descript, it was just the square footage that was appealing, but I see how that could be a problem if someone wants it to be.

Thanks for the HUD information...that clarifies the original question completely.
Appreciate all the help!