Are landlords allowed to require a co-signer for rental units in compliance with Fair Housing Law?

In Texas, landlords are allowed to require a co-signer for rental units, however, it must comply with Fair Housing Law. According to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, landlords cannot require a co-signer based on a tenant’s race, sex, religion, color, disability, familial status, or national origin. If a landlord requests a co-signer, they must do the same for all renters regardless of race, sex, etc. To adhere to Fair Housing Law, landlords must also provide the same rental terms and conditions to all prospective and existing tenants. This includes the lease agreement, amenities, services, rent and security deposit amounts, and payment policies. A landlord cannot require a co-signer because a tenant has a disability, for instance. Additionally, leases in Texas must include the terms and conditions of a co-signer agreement. Co-signer agreements need to include all information about the tenant and their responsibilities, such as acknowledging that they have the financial and legal ability to meet the terms of the agreement. In conclusion, rental units in Texas must comply with Fair Housing Law when requiring a co-signer, which includes not discriminating based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics. Landlords must provide the same rental terms and conditions to all renters and the lease must include information about the co-signer agreement.

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Are landlords allowed to require a co-signer for rental units in compliance with Fair Housing Law?

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