Mr. Webber met with me while I filled out a rental application for a unit in his Lincoln Courtyard complex. He questioned me for 45 minutes regarding my situation, family, their situations (financial and personal), my travels/other living situations, my personal life, my religion, my employment, and my credit history. The application did not ask rental history, and when I asked whether he preferred personal, professional, or former landlords in the "reference" section, he declared "I'm going to need to speak with your parents." I laughed and responded that i'm in my 30s, but, as he asked, gave my parents as references.
I have a clean background and credit score in the mid-700s. My credit report shows that all my accounts are in good standing and "never late," and I make $95,000/year. I supplied Mr. Webber with pay stubs and all necessary information to complete a background and credit check as well as a $20 fee. I've never been evicted, nor have I ever been a day late on a single payment for rent or any other payment I make. My background check and credit report reflect this.
When Mr. Webber questioned me, he showed disbelief at many of my responses. Throughout the interview, he made me feel uncomfortable, and I feel that his line of questioning was discriminatory. He doubted my salary and the existence of my company. He asked if i have been on a mormon mission and didn't seem to appreciate my answer that I have not. I feel he was discriminating based on my sex, religion, and source of income.
Mr. Webber completed background and credit checks, then called my father. He asked my father for info on his employment and financial status. He did the same when he spoke with my stepfather. After receiving the credit report and background check, he called to quiz me on the info these contained, and as I had mentioned that I spent time living with my ill grandmother, began asking me to give him personal information on she and my sister, who now lives with my grandma. None of this was relevant to my application, and I stated as much. I told him I was happy to provide a detailed rental history, but that my family's personal situations and information should be irrelevant to my application.
I was given no reason as to why I was denied the apartment. Both my father and stepfather called to tell me Mr. Webber was very aggressive and asking inappropriate quesitons. I am now highly concerned that he has VERY personal info on me and my family.
