Wow! I'd be happy to rent to anyone who pays on time.

I'm not sure about the specifics in your case. However, some landlords have a maximum number of people who can occupy each unit in order to prevent overcrowding. For example, where we last rented, they allowed up to 2 people per bedroom, so in your case, with a 5 person family, you would need a 3 bedroom apartment. Next time you get the run around, ask for an application, no demand an application. Fill out the app. and let them reply to your application in writing. If denied, they should tell you why and it should be for a legal reason such as criminal history, credit score, family size, pets, whatever... The main thing is to make sure you submit an application in writing and get a response in writing.

Thank you to everyone who gave their opinion, whether negative or positive. Not sure why this posting is still up after I requested it to be removed due to no longer needing the advice. In terms of negative comments. My husband and I both work. My husband has several shares in major companies and great credit to boot! How is a auto loan worth 30k at 4.5% and a NOW MORGAGE at 7% we are doing something right! No jail time not even for a lost library book! I own my own successful jewelry business which is licensed with the state of Illinois and pay taxes for it. We have been and are continuing to play by the books! Nothing should be handed to ANYONE regardleaa of color or sob story for free. We work for ours and when we continued to hit those roadblocks we took it up with the proper people in the long run it was NOT us! It can happen and it happened to us! All is not fair in the land of the free!

I agree with Adam. My primary client has a set maximum of 4 occupants, regardless of age, for all of their 2 bedroom apartments. If you were to call me, the smallest of their apartments that I would be able to show you would be a 3 bedroom.

It actually becomes a discrimination issue if I go over that limit for any of their listings. Basically, if we accept a family with three children but turn down an application with five adults, we could be sued for age discrimination by the latter party!

However, this does not mean that your situation has been exclusively because of the size of your family. Bear in mind that 45% of all home seekers in Chicago experience discrimination of some sort from real estate professionals - that's 10% worse than the national average.

I would also be happy to rent to annyone who pays on time.

That is small for 2 adults and 3 children. I've lived in a 900 sq ft apt just for one person. So I know a 1100 sq ft is crowded and there is nothing for kids to do in a place that small but slam doors, run up and down the stairs (or hallway), jump off the beds and annoy the neighbors. Rent a house.

I don't buy it. Define good credit? And no one is saying it's a renter's market. It is a landlord's market due to the decrease in home ownership and increase in renting.

You should review the Fair Housing Act. You can find details here: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/yourrights....

Here is a summary of what is covered:

In the Sale and Rental of Housing: No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:

* Refuse to rent or sell housing
* Refuse to negotiate for housing
* Make housing unavailable
* Deny a dwelling
* Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
* Provide different housing services or facilities
* Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
* For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting) or
* Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.

Just to follow up, if you do feel that you have been discriminated against due to your race or your familial status, then you should file a report online here: http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topic...

That is small for 2 adults and 3 children. I've lived in a 900 sq ft apt just for one person. So I know a 1100 sq ft is crowded and there is nothing for kids to do in a place that small but slam doors, run up and down the stairs (or hallway), jump off the beds and annoy the neighbors. Rent a house.

That is small for 2 adults and 3 children. I've lived in a 900 sq ft apt just for one person. So I know a 1100 sq ft is crowded and there is nothing for kids to do in a place that small but slam doors, run up and down the stairs (or hallway), jump off the beds and annoy the neighbors. Rent a house.

Accept the legal answer behind the problem and move on.

If it is an AGE discrimination issue, stop whining- your personal story isn't enough for someone to risk getting sued