Are landlords allowed to require prospective tenants to provide references under Fair Housing Law?

Under the Fair Housing Law in Texas, it is generally illegal for landlords to ask prospective tenants to provide references. This is because this type of request could prompt a landlord to discriminate against certain tenants based on religion, race, national origin, gender, disability, or other criteria. Landlords are also not allowed to use "no-references" policies, as this has been considered discriminatory in some Texas court rulings. However, landlords are allowed to verify the information provided by the tenant and may ask for proof of identity or contact information of previous landlords or employers. This information is used to verify that the information provided by the tenant is accurate and to ensure the tenant will fulfill the terms of the lease agreement. This is done to protect the landlord from potential legal troubles, like failing to collect rent or dealing with tenant-landlord disputes. Additionally, a landlord may also ask for other types of information not related to references, such as proof of income, credit report, credit score, or background checks. This is to ensure the tenant is financially stable and capable of meeting the terms of their lease agreement, such as paying rent on time. It is important to remember that all of this information must be requested and collected in a non-discriminatory manner. In conclusion, under the Fair Housing Law in Texas, landlords cannot ask for references from prospective tenants, but they are allowed to request verification of information provided by the tenant and other information to ensure the tenant is a suitable tenant.

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Are landlords allowed to require prospective tenants to provide references under Fair Housing Law?

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