Tattooed or Pierced Renters Banned Apartments San Antonio

[RamboLiberal]

It's against the law for landlords to discriminate based on the color of a person's skin. But can they reject you because of what's on your skin?

Some San Antonio apartment complexes are refusing to rent to people with tattoos and body piercings. News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Jaie Avila investigates the case of one couple who says that policy is unfair.

Gilbert Carrillo thinks tattoos are an artform. He's been to tattoo conventions and one of his tattoos was featured in a magazine. "Ever since I was 18, to now, 25, bit by bit, covering up here, covering up there."

But last month, Carrillo's tattoos kept him and his wife, Melissa, from moving into an apartment complex called the Villas at Medical Center. "We liked the apartment, we brought them a check for the deposit and a check for the application fee," says Melissa.

Later, Gilbert went by to look at the apartment wearing a short sleeve shirt. The next day, the Carrillos were told they didn't qualify to live there, because the tattoos on Gilbert's arms violated the policy on personal appearance.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=57db782b-9874-4b37-aa00-0402ab8a7ab1

Discrimination IMHO! And from the number of people I see tattooed they are banning a good portion of the population - probably as large or larger than any minority they have to rent to because of race.

[Swamp Rat]

1. Good for Jaie Avila!

"REACT: News 4 WOAI's Jaie Avila comments about how many of us have seen people with tattoos and body piercings and thought "wait until they try to get an office job, or worse yet, wait until they get older and start losing the battle with gravity." But should people be denied an apartment because of their 'body art'? Jaie wonders if this is a sign of things to come." http://community.woai.com/blogs/coffee/archive/2007/09/25/1999562.aspx

[Coexist]

15. will they be asking people to strip next, I mean, you can't see my tattoo

unless I'm next to nekkid.

How far are they willing to go?

[Perseid]

2. they are a series of lawsuits just waiting to happen

the Carrillo's have the law on their side already, without having to set precedent.

"violated the policy on personal appearance"

opening a can of nasty looking worms there, my stupid landlord friends

[Swamp Rat]

4. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Perseid]

5. thanks!

it really is good to be here. I am reading, learning, and saying some of my semi-worthless stuff now and again, and it's enjoyable.

Did that make sense!

[Swamp Rat]

6. No

I mean, yes. :D

[Perseid]

7. Great visuals, but

does anyone have one that says

"support the troops, bring them home alive"

Just a thought, my friend!

[Swamp Rat]

11. That has been my sigline since I signed on here.

Look below:

[MADem]

3. Be interesting to see their 'personal appearance' standard. NT

[Truthiness Inspector]

8. This is not discrimination

Sorry. It's a personal choice as the landlord/lady to decide who will live in their property, just as it's personal choice to get tattoos or pierced---not a protected class and should never be one.

What's next: I was denied an apartment because I like Coke better than Pepsi?

We have to draw the line somewhere unless insanity is the goal.

[NavyDavy]

14. wrong....i guess they can say its their choice not to rent too

african americans, homosexuals, etc....same thing...

[Skittles]

9. not a tattoo / piercing fan but that just sounds ridiculous

I mean, I know it sounds like a cliche but WHAT'S NEXT ?

[lurky]

10. Who are they trying to keep out, exactly?

I mean, tons of people have tattoos and piercings these days, and a big chunk of them are successful, responsible professionals, parents, etc.

I'm wondering if this is their way of ensuring that only "family values" (read Christian Repub) types are allowed in, but without officially discriminating based on religion and political affiliation. Just a thought.

[Tian Zhuangzhuang]

13. I've known a lot of people lose out on good jobs

because of piercings (particularly eyebrow, nose and those large hole ear things.)and because of heavy visible tattoos. (there is a world of difference between a butterfly on your ankle and a scene from Dante's Inferno that starts at you shoulder and ends at your wrist.)

Most times they are never told why.


I have never heard of an apartment complex having an appearance clause. It seems strange to me but may be a backhanded way to prevent gang members (current and former) from renting.

Anyway I'm sure this isn't the first time he lost out of something because of his body art it just may be the first time somebody actually told him why.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. To be fair, I wouldn't rent to these people, either:

I mean, imagine the stains.

[zonmoy]

16. while I would love to.

particularly if one of them allows me to date him.