Renting to a person without a car....can we deny them?

GM_SJ_BSS

Hello everyone, I believe I seen this question asked before and I can't seem to find it.  My question is, I'm in CT is it legal to deny renting to someone that doesn't have a car?  We currently have a few tenants that have no cars (homeless) and lately its been one huge issue after another.  Unfortunately the local police are unwilling ( or can't not sure) to do anything.  Ex:  one of the homeless people was on the property at 9:15pm (access ends at 9pm) and not only was he using the electrical outlet on our office building to charge he scooter without permission, he also had food and personal items scatter all around him and he was passed out.  The cops were called, came down, woke him up because he was alive they said they couldn't make him leave as he is a tenant.  He spent the night right in the front of our property but behind the entrance gate.  That's just one incident, I literally had one of the homeless guys friends (not even 10 mins ago - office door is still locked)  who is not a tenant here just get into a screaming match with me, calling me vulgar names and was acting extremely aggressive because I refused to rent another unit to his friend (no I'm not a Karen -  by all means I can definitely hold my own and I don't tolerate a tenant or non-tenant to speak to me like that) .  So again my question is can we legally deny renting to them?  Can we add it in our rental agreement that all tenants must enter the property in a vehicle only, no entrance on foot or would that be discriminating?   We are considering evicting them, in CT we don't have to provide a reason but again, we also don't want to break any laws or be vulnerable for a  discrimination law suit.  Thank you everyone, any advice would be wonderful.

helenatim

can you deny them for not having a fixed address or a drivers license?  I doubt that "Non-car owners" are a protected group, so you could probably choose to do that.  All of the tenant behaviors listed would be in violation of the terms of our Rental Agreement and grounds for immediate termination.  Then they are trespassing and you can have the police remove them.
I would consult your State Storage Association and their attorney for legal advice.  And do it soon.  These rule breakers will scare off good tenants pretty quickly.

teamcapitola

We decided to make a valid State Issued Driver's License a requirement to rent. This has pared down 90% of "problems", but not all.

You can make any requirement to rent that you want, as long as it is applied equally to everyone, and it doesn't violate protected class (sex, race, religion, etc.)  Not having a valid mailing address is another one of our requirements in the rental agreement.

Sometimes you know...KNOW that the person in front of your desk is going to be a problem, but you have no real reason to not rent/they meet all the rental requirements... You still can make the choice to not rent to them...you have the right to refuse service.

Then you have to have "The Talk" (this is not your living room, gym, shower, hangout, etc.) and when they break your rules either start raising the rent each month, restrict access, or evict.

The one method we use with the best results is "restricting access to office hours" when rules are repeatedly broken. In our posted rules and lease it clearly states that the facility has the right to limit access hours. The person either shapes up or will leave to a less strict facility.

igotthisnow

I have exit loops and that reqires an automobile.  Bicycles or scooters won't open them. 

GM_SJ_BSS

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the advice and will discuss everything with the owner.  Starting today, we are not renting to anyone on foot and are having it listed in the rental agreement.  We don't have the exit loops but they have to code out.  We are also going to post a sign at the entrance keypad, tenants must be in a vehicle to enter the property and are starting the eviction on the tenant that I initially wrote this post about especially because Saturday once I got them off the property, I took a spin on the cart to see if they made a mess or anything at the unit and that's when I noticed they hit 3 bollard post. So took pics of damage and sent to the owner.  We are invoicing this guy for the damage, whether we actually get the money will be another story.  

StPaulyGrrrl

We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. In CT and MN  

sonyawiprud

Ugh, such a difficult process! We have cleaned up over the last ten years and established a reputation among the un-homed that we do not tolerate loitering or any misstep at any time, it took us awhile but it is under control for today. LOL good luck to you! 

Nazpastortony

Storage Units can be shady if allowed and unfortunately, often it is allowed.  Clear communication and "vetting" at the front end is crucial.  I place a lot of emphasis on the rules and no tolerance for "shenanigans" during the rental process so that every prospective tenant is very clear about what is tolerated and what is not.  It really helps in weeding out the problems.  It initially took a bit when I first came on scene to clean the property up and get rid of the existing problem children but once it was done the keys are clear communication and expectations and consistent enforcement and follow up.  The entire atmosphere of the property has changed and it is very quiet and expectation complient.  It's like raising kids, lol.  clear expectations, boundaries, communication and consistent follow up.  If you let them shenan once, they'll shenanigan.