What can be asked on a rental application in Seattle?

What can be asked on a rental application in Seattle?

When applying for a rental property in Seattle, landlords are legally allowed to ask certain questions to determine the eligibility of potential tenants. These questions typically revolve around an applicant’s financial stability, rental history, employment status, and personal information. However, there are also restrictions on what can be asked to avoid discrimination.

In Seattle, rental applications can ask for the following information:

1. Personal Information: This includes your full name, contact information, date of birth, and Social Security number.
2. Rental History: Landlords may inquire about your previous rental experiences, including references from previous landlords and the reason for leaving your previous residence.
3. Employment and Income Verification: Landlords can ask about your current employment status, income level, and any other sources of income.
4. Credit History: Landlords may request permission to run a credit check to assess your creditworthiness.
5. Criminal History: Landlords in Seattle can ask about any criminal history that may impact your application.
6. Pet Ownership: If applicable, landlords can inquire about pets to determine whether they are allowed on the property.
7. Number of Occupants: Landlords can ask about the number of people who will be living in the rental unit.
8. References: Applicants may be asked to provide personal or professional references to vouch for their character and reliability.

FAQs:

1. Can landlords in Seattle ask about my citizenship status on a rental application?

It is illegal for landlords to inquire about your citizenship status on a rental application in Seattle.

2. Are landlords allowed to ask for my bank account information on a rental application?

While landlords can ask for financial information such as income verification, they cannot request your bank account information on a rental application in Seattle.

3. Can landlords ask about my marital status on a rental application?

Landlords are prohibited from asking about your marital status on a rental application in Seattle as it is considered discriminatory.

4. Is it legal for landlords to ask about my disability status on a rental application?

Questions about disability status are not allowed on rental applications in Seattle as they could be considered discriminatory under fair housing laws.

5. Can landlords ask about my sexual orientation or gender identity on a rental application?

Questions regarding sexual orientation or gender identity are not permitted on rental applications in Seattle to prevent discrimination.

6. Are landlords allowed to ask about my religious beliefs on a rental application?

In Seattle, landlords cannot inquire about your religious beliefs on a rental application as it may be considered discriminatory.

7. Can landlords ask for my social media account information on a rental application?

While landlords can conduct background checks, they are generally not allowed to request your social media account information on a rental application in Seattle.

8. Is it legal for landlords to ask about my political affiliation on a rental application?

Questions about political affiliation are considered discriminatory on rental applications in Seattle and are not permitted.

9. Can landlords ask for my race or ethnicity on a rental application?

Questions regarding race or ethnicity are prohibited on rental applications in Seattle to prevent discriminatory practices.

10. Are landlords allowed to ask about my military status on a rental application?

Inquiries about military status are typically not permitted on rental applications in Seattle to avoid potential discrimination against service members.

11. Can landlords ask for my educational background on a rental application?

While landlords can request employment verification, they are generally not allowed to ask for educational background on a rental application in Seattle.

12. Is it legal for landlords to ask about my age on a rental application?

Questions about age are generally not allowed on rental applications in Seattle to prevent discriminatory practices based on age.

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