Been mulling over the idea. I sincerely believe that a tenant's choice in music can help me decide whether or not I want to rent to them.

I'm thinking along these lines of scale:

Classical = + 5 points

Jazz = + 5 points

Easy Listening = + 4 points

Soft Rock = + 3 points

Classic Rock = + 3 points

Pop = 0 points

Heavy Metal = -2 points

Acid Rock = - 5 points

Rap/Hip Hop = -5 points

Country = ??? too much variance with this musical choice (great to awful)

Obviously there will be outliers in all of these classes. This is just my opinion of what would be the best and worst in these categories. Of course age often plays a big role in what type of music one listens to, which only seems to solidify the concept of the more mature the tenants generally the better they are. On the other hand I think what we like to listen to as a young adult will be something that stays with us.

This has absolutely nothing to do with a person's race, color, or national origin but will be based only on the generalities of their music and those preferences.

Musical preference is not a protected class at least not yet. Maybe one more tool in the toolbox.

Now, to figure out the best way to find their preference. And this is just one more reason I like to meet people in person when I'm in the rental showing stage...to be able to pick up on little things I could never get from lockbox showings. Maybe casually ask about what bands, singers, or music is their favorite.

Eh, mayhe but I don't know. I mostly listen to heavy metal. Country in the car and classical putting the kids to bed.

Tough call.

Assuming this is a serious post, I can't comment on the ratings you assign to various types of music. But I think your asking a future tenant to tell you what type of music they like is weird. Real weird.

At best, this question crosses the boundary into one that is too personal, and unfavorably changes the dynamic between you and prospect. At worst, it sounds like a come-on. If any future landlord asked me what type of music I liked, that would be the end of any interest I had in his rental. Even if the landlord were female, I'd find it so strange that I wouldn't apply.

I heard of a discrimination case that was won because the leasing office wrote on the applications a rating system based on music. Actually I believe it was one of our state HUD employees who told this story to us at a seminar on Fair Housing.

Guess what? Rap/Hip Hope was code for black.

Country was code for white redneck.

Heavy Metal was code for age group 40's and was a GOOD thing.

WMH,

I still prefer to listen to the music that was played on FM radio during the mid-70's. What code would that be? LOL

a tried and true indicator of buying a used car.

We used it 50 years ago -

1st thing you do when you get in a used car is turn on the radio - It tells you a lot

I think the list turned racist as soon as you gave a -5 for rap / hip hop.

If I think so, you'd better believe that the AA's think it is racist.

I think face and neck tattoos vs arm or calf tattoos would be a better marker to go by.

I'm not getting involved with a tenant that doesn't have enough foresight to know that a neck or friggin FACE TATTOO might just be a long term bad decision,

Visible tattoos like that definitely go without saying in my book.

BTW, there are plenty of younger white folks around here who like rap/hip-hop and I wouldn't rent to them. Again, nothing to do with color. I have rented to all colors, races, and nationalities in the last 20 years.

JB OR------------- you have got way to much free time on your hands. Don't you have some RE deals to conjure up or paperwork to do. Maybe a foreclosure to research?

I don't know about making a formal criterion and assigning numbers. But, it is one thing that just gives a bad impression - no matter what style - if they pull up in their car and have music blasting at about 100 decibels. I think it shows lack of concern for anyone else's rights to hear or not hear it. Also, when it is the version of the song that can't be played on the radio due to language...Yikes!

Gives me the impression that this person is focused only their own desires, not what is "socially acceptable in mixed company". They would probably be demanding and uncooperative as a tenant.