What questions may a housing provider ask a person who is applying for housing?
The housing provider in both private and public housing may ask ALL applicants questions that relate to their ability to meet the requirements of the lease, including questions relating to criminal activity. However, they may not ask certain questions only of people with disabilities or people they think have a disability; that would be discriminatory. Although details of leases of different housing providers vary, the essential obligations for all leases are the same: timely payments, care of the premises, respect for the rights of others, avoiding criminal activity, and complying with other reasonable requirements. The following are questions housing providers may ask which relate directly to the essential obligations of lease compliance: • Will the applicant pay rent and other fair charges in a timely manner? • Will the applicant care for and avoid damaging the unit and the common areas, use facilities and equipment in a reasonable way, create no health, safety or sanitation hazards
