My boyfriend and I are apt hunting and I'm just wondering if places would be reluctant to having a trans person staying in their apartments, I know its illegal but there are ways for them to loophole through this and find some bulls*it ass reason for not letting me move in. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any instances or problems finding a place, or if it was hard to. Also do most places do background checks, ask for social security cards or birth certificate? I have no idea how this is done so that's why I ask

Most of the background checks are just to find out what kind of renter you are going to be. How reliable/responsible are you?  Did a former landlord have any problems with you? etc.  Of course that presumes non-bigoted attitude. But business usually trumps that. They need to get properties rented, the only "rational" concern is if they think having a trans person will "freak out" other tenants and prospective tenants potentially hurting future revenues, or if they associate transsexuals with drug use and antisocial behavior (with some validity unfortunately).

I would not even bring it up and look cis-normal when you talk to the landlord. Don't bring any drama and pay your rent on time and things should be fine.

I'm still at my parents house, this will be my first place, thank you for the answer

My apartment hunt went fine last year. That was a first time thing for me, after losing my house of eight years. My TS status seemed irrelevant on my application. My status was full time pre-op at the time.

Discrimination of that sort is perfectly -legal- in Missouri, I don't let that bother me too much. Part of the goal of both stealth and full time is to just blend in. When the apartment didn't say a word about my background check, neither did I.

They won't even care, if they even know or notice. All they are after are good tenants. Pay your bills and your rent on time, and be a good neighbor, and they won't care.

Don't even mention that you're trans to them, there's no real reason to.

Quote from: latoya rayne on May 01, 2014, 03:35:22 PM
I'm still at my parents house, this will be my first place, thank you for the answer

Then they may want your parents to co-sign on the rental agreement (damage liability etc.). Or not, it really depends.

Quote from: Missy~rmdlm on May 01, 2014, 03:43:27 PM
My apartment hunt went fine last year. That was a first time thing for me, after losing my house of eight years. My TS status seemed irrelevant on my application. My status was full time pre-op at the time.

Discrimination of that sort is perfectly -legal- in Missouri, I don't let that bother me too much. Part of the goal of both stealth and full time is to just blend in. When the apartment didn't say a word about my background check, neither did I.

I grew up in Missouri, and the fact that it's legal to fire someone or deny them housing for being GLBT is the reason I refuse to live there again. After living in California and Colorado, my folks were hopeful that I'd return to Missouri at some point. When I explained why I won't be returning, they lamented their very few options when it comes to elected officials. Oftentimes there isn't even a GLBT or allied person on the ballot! There's a reason "Misery" is the butt of so many jokes.

Yes, true about Missouri. Yet, I am a government employee, one that can at least be seen as an ally, though I'm not in an elected capacity. Missouri will brought kicking and screaming forward to equality soon. Out tag line may as well be: At were not the most backward state!

It's known that I intend to move to MN to be with and possibly marry my SO someday...Minnesota that does have marriage, employment and housing equality.