Source of income refers to the various ways a tenant acquires the money necessary to pay their housing costs. This can include traditional employment, social security benefits, child support, or housing vouchers.
How It Applies to Florida Landlords
Florida law does not currently include "source of income" as a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, meaning landlords are not state-mandated to accept housing choice vouchers (Section 8) unless specified by local municipal ordinances. However, landlords must be extremely careful to avoid discriminatory practices. If you choose to consider sources of income, ensure that you apply these standards consistently to all applicants. Rejecting an applicant solely because of their source of income may be legal in many parts of Florida, but ensure such policies do not disparately impact protected groups, as that can lead to federal litigation.
Key Takeaways
- Verify all sources of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters) for accuracy.
- Check local municipal codes, as some Florida cities have specific ordinances regarding voucher acceptance.
- Apply screening criteria uniformly to every applicant to avoid potential discrimination liability.