Hi fellow LL,

First time I have a transgender prospect applying for my rental. I didn't know that she used to be a HE until she mentioned that on top of her regular job, she has a side gig working in drag shows. All her documents (ID and paychecks) have female name and female photo. She's in her late 50's. My question is that how well does our Mr Landlord credit and background function in this case? She must have changed her name sometime ago. That means if she had eviction cases when she was a HE, the system may not catch it because of different names.

Her credit is good (700 range) but it only went back to 2012. My guess is that she got the female name around that year, hence the beginning of the new female credit report?

Can you say Drama Queen?

Is there a credit AND criminal background history AND didja call the prior landlord?

I would be slow walking this app

Women have been changing their names for thousands of years so this isn't something new. Your credit report may revile an alias name that she/he goes by. Providing that they provide you that name in advance, I wouldn't get too worked up about the transgender bit.

Hey if someone thinks they are something that they may be or may not is it the landlord's job to check that plumbing out too? It absolutely shouldn't mater to the landlord. The more power to them - at this point in the game, I believe everyone is equally crazy. In fact if anyone wants to go up on that roof and declare to the world that they believe they can fly - I say please make sure you aim for the tarp on the ground for ease of clean up.

Now as for tip income, as long that they have a means to show that they are in fact making the money - say maybe deposit slips, bank statements or even a tax filing, I am alright with them using that money to qualify. But if they are lying to the government, who am I to believe such a wild story - like someone actually cheating the government out of tax money owed! Really - the nerve.

Ray was raised on don't ask, don't tell - so its not our business. Treat them as you do everyone else.

This is no different than someone who gets married or divorced and has different names. Screen as normal and if she meets your criteria, rent to her.

Thanks everyone for your reply.

So, our Mr Landlord credit and background check wouldn't miss her eviction records before she became a female, right?

Frank[NJ], haha Drama Queen. Nope I haven't called prior LL. He only listed his privious LL from 2000-2008. There is a 16 year gap there.

Ray-N-Pa [PA], agree. I'm not against his sex change decision. It's his body, not mine :-) His good credit is what caught my interest. Thanks for the tip on tip income. Thanks for a smile on the aiming for the tarp on the groud joke :-)

I have a female tenant who identifies as a male and changed her name to a masculine name. This tenant pays rent EARLY every month and has been a model tenant.

Now recently I had an applicant who is in the same category but is bat crap cray cray and became argumentative when I pointed out this applicant's low credit score. Called me "too picky" and "the problem is landlords not tenants."

I don't care about transgender. I care very much about a 16 year gap in the rental history. I'd be running that down because whatever it is, it probably isn't good.

Thanks everyone for your reply.

plenty [MO], yep

mapleaf18[NY], ha I had a prospect who got mad at me because I didn't pick him. He texted me "if my identity gets stolen, I know you did it".

ken[NY], hmmm do drag queens have to strip?

Oregon Woodsmoke[ID], oh yeah I could call LOA, Landlord Of America, for their background check service

I don't think you should over think this. Run the credit check per her photo ID (driver's license). Screen as normal.

Why the gap for a LL? I don't care what you do for a living so long as it is legal and verified. I would think the credit report would pop with an alias. Run both names through a criminal search.

2012 would be enough history for me, and the trans thing would be a non-issue for me. Focus on all the normal things since 2012 like criminal history and past landlord references

Thanks everyone for your reply.

Bonanza[NC], why did you say "probably have less issues with this prospect than any other"? Because of her 700's credit score?

MC[PA], I just spoke to her. No gap in the rental. She has lived at the current place for the last 16 years. Frankly that's a very good sign in my book. If she could prove her drag queen gig income, I'll sign the lease with her.

I think she would be less hassle than some tenants because of her credit score (higher score = more responsible in my experience), her age (the young ones are the ones that call and pester me), and the fact she is out there working / shaking it she'll be too tired for drama.

I am a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE transgender retired LL, in my late 60's. I stopped posting here in part due to transphobia from a few people. Life's too short.

No your credit doesn't change when you transition. My credit was 824 the other day. I transitioned 30 years ago. It goes mainly by your social security number.

Most lgbt people are excellent tenants. Like any demographic there are low life losers. Most just want to be left alone to live their best life. She sounds fine.

I hope, barring any red flags, you will rent to this gal. Explain your concerns and any lack of knowledge to her honestly and listen to any concerns she has. (Security, bigotted neighbors, etc.) My feeling is if she was in the same place 16 years you aren't going to have much trouble.

Also drag queens are not hookers, or strippers, especially not 50 year olds. And drag queens aren't molesting anyone's children, they leave that for preachers, priests, politicians, coaches, uncles and sometimes, landlords.

And Ray - my AR15 identifies as a McMillan .50, because I'm rich and $5 a round doesn't hurt too much.

A standard question on the application needs to be: Give any other name you have ever used.

LTD: please return to sharing your experience. It is valuable.

All different folks here have all different ideas about things - that I may or may not agree with.

That doesn't mean we can't learn landlord stuff from each other & encourage each other professionally.

You stated above, "nope, her W2 income was not enough. So I'm asking for the proof of her drag queen income."

One of my criteria is "income must be from a DOCUMENTED source that can be GARNISHEED."

Doesn't matter if you have a straight stripper, a drag stripper, or whatever... If I can't garnishee the income, it doesn't count.

So to me that's the important question. What does your state law and practical experience in the matter say?

Btw, I've had some strippers apply to rent from me before. My research indicates that you CAN'T garnishee their income, most of which comes from tips. Your applicant's income may be different, but I don't know how one goes about garnisheeing income from winning prizes or contests. Seems like that would be from random, different sources continually, so you'd never know where to have the sheriff send the paperwork. Cash tips/prizes might end up in a bank account somewhere, or not. That's a bit too vague for me to risk it.

Bottom line: if you can't garnishee the income, do not consider it. Gender, sex-preference, color of hair... irrelevant to the business decision of whether or not to rent.

Thanks everyone for your reply

Ray-N-Pa[PA], hehe :-)

Bonanza[NC], I never met her either but I have a similar feeling (that she could be less hassle due to good credit score and maturity)

NE[PA], really?

Still Learning [NH], thanks for confirming that with name change, it may not get the info before 2012 (when she changed to female name). Frankly I don't even know her previous male name. However I'm with you that if she's been good since 2012, she should be ok.

LTD [AZ], thank you so much for the expert like you to join. I once had a lesbian couple rented my apartment and everything went well. So, I agree with you. XD LOL at "drag queens aren't molesting anyone's children, they leave that for preachers, priests, politicians, coaches, uncles and sometimes, landlords." One question, would it be more difficult for her to do the drag queen gig as she is getting closer to 60 years old? Her drag show income is an important part of the income calculation.

DJ [VA], you're right. I need to add "Give any other name you have ever used." to my application. Agree that LTD should come back. The transphobia is a 20th century thing. We're in the 21st century already :-)

S i d [MO], hmm... you have a good point. The drag show income is not garnishable even though I could see them in the bank statements (I asked for statements for the past 12 months). They are mostly Zelle transfers or cash deposit. Hmm... I'm thinking some more.

NE [PA], yep hope to hear more from LTD.

I "used" to own a bunch or apartment buildings in West Hollywood, almost 100 units. No more, I'm down to 1/3 of that now. In West Hollywood, the tenancy consists of 1/3 Gay, 1/3 Russian and 1/3 everything else.

I made the mistake buying rentals without the tenant make-up spelled out in writing. Now those different gender have million dollar protections and can get away with anything.

So one of my buildings in WH, just under 20 units, had the property next door purchased by the City of West Hollywood. They evicted everyone, knocked down the property and build a Gay Aids Building -- all units had 3 bedroom. 1 for the Aid's infected tenant, a bedroom for their lover and a 3rd bedroom for their paid "health care worker".

To make the story short, the tenant was a "Queen" and his lover was a "trans". Every day, around noon time they had a orgy with no less than 7 lovers.

I took action to make this behavior to stop. I was sued by each lover, city, state, etc.

I presented proof of their conduct. Open blinds so the work could see what was going on. Children walking down the side walk seeing things that no one should ever have to look at.

From that point on, some 25 years ago, I will not accept "Drama Queens" as a tenant, guest or visitor.

Thanks for sharing LTD.

What one looks like should not define them. You are one of my favorite gun toting, shoveling yielding and thus rent collecting landlords I know.

Even after the name change they still have the same SS#. I know this because I checked with a recently transitioned person.

If the credit check goes off the SS# then what would be the problem?

I added the other names line more for when people change their names because of marriage or divorce. I hope that it will include nicknames and alias' as well.

Thank you everyone for your reply.

Robert J [CA], always glad to hear your interesting stories. California probably has the highest LGBT population. Hence you would have more experience in this matter. Did you actually ask them to stop having sex??? Why not just ask them to close the windows or put up curtains?

Ray-N-Pa [PA], you're one very knowledgable short, fat, middle aged, balding person! Let's be honest, most of us here (except ladies) are getting all those 4. It's part of the the aging process. In my mind, I remember you as a respectable kind hearted experienced investor who always share information to help others.

zero [IN], yep I just added that line in my application

Chicago LL, making the transition is difficult either direction.

I am surprised at the number of lgbt people that are in my little part of the world. I think they were there all along but now it is not as much of a stigma so they are better known.

I see where you are going but I do not believe it completely.

I honestly think that there are people who are lying to themselves. Then they finally just do what they feel must be done.

My case in point. I know a man who is in his 80's. When he was in maybe his 30's he left a Dear Joan note for the wife and kids. They had no clue. Guess he fought it for image sake for as long as he could then just left. He has been with men ever since, although when he goes out he hides it from the public eye.

Another more recent case. Girl who was friends in school with my kid. She went to a religious college and found her path. Got married and an annulment about a month after. Fell off the grid. Next time the kid saw her she was with her girlfriend. She is happy now and was leaning that way her entire life.

I agree that it is a talking point now. Orientation doesn't matter to me at all. Character does. I do not understand why we have a pride month if it is all supposed to be normal. I have seen how bad some treat others tho. That is a bad look for the human race.

Thanks everyone for your reply

zero [IN], I think you're right. There have been probably the same amount of LGBT people in the world but it seemed like we're having more because the world has accepted LGBT more (hence, more came out).

NE[PA], Juneteenth! I thought it's a Chicago thing. Yep, agree with you.

LTD,

ah-HA! I always figured you were lurking in the MrLL forum shadows!

You are too strong to let a petty ignorant poster get under your skin cuz WE ALL NEED YOU HERE!

(Besides I think that person has evaporated)

Your comment about molesters made me snort milk out my nose!

Chicago,

We only count tip or 1099 income if their W2 income (or other adult's W2) covers a significant portion of the rent. As long as they have W2 we can garnish that.

I don't care about them paying taxes or not. That's THEIR problem with the IRS not mine, and I don't judge it as a character flaw worth worrying about.

As I ponder on this applicant, in today's culture popular a drag queen's income is probably MORE stable than a factory worker!!

BRAD