Roommates
Can I ask for a roommate of a specific gender?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Generally yes, when you are looking for someone to share your home, including a shared apartment. Roommate searches for shared living space are usually treated differently from renting out a whole apartment. Local and state laws can be stricter, and landlords renting a full unit cannot choose tenants by sex.
The federal Fair Housing Act protects race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability. It is mainly aimed at landlords, sellers and agents. Choosing who you share a bathroom and kitchen with has generally been treated as a different situation, which is why "female roommate wanted" posts are common.
Where the line usually sits:
- Looking for a roommate to share your apartment or house: stating a gender preference is generally accepted
- Renting out a whole apartment or unit you do not live in: you must follow fair housing law and cannot choose tenants by sex or any other protected trait
- Some states and cities have their own rules for roommate ads and small rentals, so check locally if you are unsure
Even for roommates, keep your post focused on the preference itself and your living situation. Preferences about race, religion, national origin or other protected traits are a different matter: many housing groups do not allow them, some state and local laws forbid them even in roommate ads, and moderators may decline those posts.
The details that tend to matter most to people, such as quiet, clean, non-smoking or pet-friendly, are always fine to include.
Want the whole picture? Read How to Find a Roommate You Can Actually Live With.