Quick advice

[sbrooks]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I'm currently looking for a new roommate but I don't want to stumble over any anti-discrimation laws, so I was wondering if they apply to people searching for someone to live with or if they only apply to the people actually renting out the apartment. Basically, I want to move in with someone who is around my age, but I've been warned that it might be discrimiatory to say that.

P.S. Sorry if this is the wrong section for this, it seemed like the best fit.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Pay your rent on time.

 

[DeenaCA]

Don't express a preference based on age in any advertisement. See http://www.craigslist.org/about/FHA#roommates:

Federal Fair Housing laws for roommates and shared housing have two components: advertising and decision-making.

Advertising: Federal Fair Housing laws prohibit discriminatory advertising in all housing, regardless of how large or small the property. However, as discussed below, advertising which expresses a preference based upon sex is allowed in shared living situations where tenants will share a bathroom, kitchen, or other common area.
Decision-making: Although the prohibition on discriminatory advertising applies to roommate and shared housing situations, federal Fair Housing laws do not cover the basis of decisions made by landowners who own less than four units, and live in one of the units. This means that in a situation in which a landlord owns less than four rental units, and lives in one of the units, it is legal for the owner to discriminate in the selection process based on the aforementioned categories, but it is illegal for that owner to advertise or otherwise make a statement expressing that discriminatory preference.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

You cannot express an age limit. You can express your age, beliefs and living style. Note that you will only seriously consider those you feel are compatible with your lifestyle.

 

[Banned_Princess]

You cannot express an age limit. You can express your age, beliefs and living style. Note that you will only seriously consider those you feel are compatible with your lifestyle.

perfect.

on an additional note, I don't think you can specifically state you will only accept single men, or just for one person.

so don't accept anyone you don't want, for no reason other then you don't like them, or they "aren't compatible"

just don't limit the applicants by their protected characteristic. (race, nationality, family status, age, sex, ect.)

 

[DeenaCA]

You can express your age, beliefs and living style. Note that you will only seriously consider those you feel are compatible with your lifestyle.

I wouldn't risk even hinting at any kind of preference other than gender. That's all the law allows. Since the OP is free to actually discriminate in the decision-making phase, it doesn't make sense to advertise preferences based on "beliefs" or "lifestyle". A decision based on those factors is legal but an advertisement expressing them is not.

Here's the current HUD guidance on advertising (the "Achtenberg memo"): http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_11870.pdf.