Landlord possibly won't allow my roommate to move in?

[sundayinoctober]

I just recently moved into a 2 bedroom apartment by myself. The rent of my apartment is based on my income (so I'm thinking this is a low income apartment complex??). I am the only one on the lease right now.

In my lease the only clause that states anything about occupancy says that any visitor that I have at my apartment for 15 days or more within a 45 day period will be considered a part of the household and will be added to the lease.

I have a friend that I am going to let move in with me. I am a guy. My friend is a girl. Obviously if she moves in with me she will be at the apartment for more than 15 days within a 45 day period. So logically I would think she would be added to the lease. I say this because it doesn't specify whether or not the "new member" of my "household" needs to be related to me or be of the same or opposite sex.

I know this may seem strange but the reason I bring it up is because I overheard my landlord saying something to someone about telling a current resident at this complex that she couldn't move her boyfriend into her apartment. The whole conversation between the landlord and this other person he was speaking to was all about "shacking up". Let me make this point VERY clear: my and this girl are ONLY friends. We WILL NOT be having any type of sexual relationship. She would only be there because she has no where else to go. She has no family in this area and I am the only person she knows around here.

My question is: is there any possible way that the landlord could tell me no to adding my friend to the lease with me just because she's a girl? There isn't anything anywhere in my lease saying that I couldn't move someone in. Just that one thing about visitors becoming a part of the "household" and being added to the lease.

If you need more information, I'll be more than happy to supply it. I really need some assistance with this. In my opinion, I don't see why he could say no. I mean, he would still be getting his rent ON TIME and everything. Plus, to me, it would seem like sexual discrimination for him to refuse her being added to my lease just because she's a girl moving in with a guy.

I thank you guys for taking a look at my thread here. I hope you guys can surely shine a bright light on this dim topic for me. I really appreciate it.

Thanks again!
Allen.

 

[jacksgal]

The Landlord is not obligated to allow her to move in.

 

[Duranie]

If you live in an income restricted community, then you just cannot let anyone move in. Your moving in to that community states you only make a certain income and if you get a roommate you probably will not qualify.

So yes the landlord has the right to tell you No especially since you are in a low income complex.

 

[sundayinoctober]

I see. Just curious, but for what reason would he not allow her to move in?

Well, that's the thing. She won't have a job. She won't be contributing to the income of the household. Would that still be a problem?

Also, I mean, I understand what you're saying when you say he's not obligated to let her move in. I completely understand that. But this girl has nowhere to go. She's from Minnesota. This apartment is here in Mississippi. She would be homeless. There's no way I can just do that. Do you think, perhaps if I explain the situation to the landlord, that he would allow her to move in?

Also, for more information about this lease, the top right corner of the lease says:

SBM 22 MISSISSIPPI LEASE
Effective January 1, 2006

Now, I don't know if that helps anything, but that's what I'm looking at. It also says down at the bottom that "This institution is an equal opprotunity provider and employer."

 

[jacksgal]

The landlord does not have to amend lease just because you desire it. Thats bottom line.

 

[Duranie]

It is not the LL's problem she has no where to go. If she has no job or nothing she will likely just mooch off of you anyways. When you move into an income restricted community you have stricter guidelines to abide by. You can probably let her come visit but after 2 weeks or so she'll have to find a permanent place to live. You can ask the LL to break your lease and find a replacement tenant and move somewhere else that is not so strict on roommates?

 

[sundayinoctober]

Ok. I see what you guys are saying. Thanks for all your help!