If you’re a fan of Netflix’s “Love is Blind”, you know the premise: contestants meet, fall in love, and even get engaged, all without ever seeing each other’s faces. It’s a bold experiment that forces people to focus on what really matters—connection, compatibility, and shared values—without the distraction of appearances.
Now, imagine applying this concept to tenant selection. What if landlords were required to look beyond surface details and focus only on the essentials? Well, guess what—California’s Fair Housing Laws essentially require landlords to do just that. Like it or not, tenant selection in California must be “blind”, focusing solely on fair and objective criteria rather than personal biases or assumptions.
So, let’s explore how “Love is Blind” hilariously parallels tenant screening—and why California law insists landlords leave their personal preferences at the door.
The Pods: Where Love Meets Housing Applications
In “Love is Blind,” contestants sit in separate pods, chatting through a thin wall. They form emotional connections without being influenced by physical appearances. For landlords, this pod concept isn’t far from reality. California’s Fair Housing Laws require landlords to evaluate tenants based on objective criteria only, without letting irrelevant or discriminatory factors influence their decision.
Here’s how this plays out:
- What you CAN ask: Income, rental history, employment verification, credit score.
- What you CAN’T consider: Race, gender, religion, disability, familial status, or other protected classes under California law.
In tenant selection, the “wall” that separates you from bias is the law itself. You’re not allowed to let personal impressions or irrelevant factors sneak into your decision-making process. Like “Love is Blind,” it’s all about focusing on the essentials.
Why Landlords Need to Stay Blind
In Love is Blind, contestants often form deeper connections because they’re not distracted by superficial details. Similarly, when landlords stay “blind” and rely only on neutral, factual information to evaluate applicants, they avoid unfair treatment—and potential discrimination claims.
But beyond fairness, California law makes this “blind” approach mandatory. The state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits discrimination against protected characteristics, including:
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion or creed
- Gender or sexual orientation
- Disability (physical or mental)
- Familial status (e.g., renters with children)
- Source of income (including Section 8 vouchers)
Choosing tenants based on personal preferences, stereotypes, or other irrelevant criteria isn’t just unethical—it’s illegal. And in California, where housing discrimination laws are some of the strictest in the nation, failing to follow the rules can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
The Perils of NOT Staying Blind
Imagine if “Love is Blind” contestants were allowed to see their potential fiancé’s social media profile mid-experiment. Suddenly, shallow judgments would creep in, and their decisions would be tainted. The same risk applies to landlords who let irrelevant factors influence tenant selection.
For example:
- Rejecting an applicant because they seem like they might host loud parties… that’s stereotyping.
- Choosing someone based on family size, whether big or small… that’s discrimination based on familial status.
- Dismissing applicants with Section 8 vouchers… that’s illegal discrimination based on source of income.
Straying from fair, objective criteria doesn’t just harm the applicants—it jeopardizes your standing as a landlord and exposes you to legal risks.
The Proposal: Focus on the Facts
In Love is Blind, contestants propose to the person they feel most compatible with, based on meaningful conversations—not looks. For landlords, your “proposal” is offering a lease to the most qualified tenant. And just like the show, you’ll need to rely on what truly matters.
Here are the key factors to focus on:
- Income: Does the tenant earn enough to afford the rent? A common standard is 2.5-3x the monthly rent.
- Credit history: Does the tenant have a reliable track record of paying bills?
- Rental history: Has the tenant been responsible and drama-free in previous rentals?
- Background checks: Are there any red flags, such as evictions or criminal activity?
Notice what’s missing from this list: personal preferences, assumptions, or anything tied to protected characteristics. Just as Love is Blind contestants don’t get to judge their partner’s appearance, landlords can’t let irrelevant details cloud their decision-making.
The Reveal: When the Lease is Signed
In Love is Blind, the big reveal happens when contestants meet face-to-face for the first time. For landlords, the “reveal” happens once you’ve approved an application and meet your tenant in person. By this point, your decision has already been made based on facts—not assumptions or biases.
And here’s the truth: Whether or not you personally “click” with your tenant doesn’t matter. As long as they meet the terms of the lease and respect the property, that’s all that counts.
Whether You Agree or Not, California Requires You to Be Blind
Here’s the bottom line: You don’t have to love the idea of “blind” tenant selection, but California laws demand it. The state’s strict fair housing rules exist to ensure that every applicant has an equal chance, free from prejudice or bias. It’s not about personal preferences—it’s about following the law and creating a fair, equal housing process.
So, while “Love is Blind” contestants might have the option to walk away if things get awkward, landlords don’t have that luxury. Tenant selection isn’t about gut feelings or snap judgments—it’s about focusing on the facts, staying fair, and keeping everything above board.
In the end, whether you’re a landlord or a Netflix contestant, the lesson is the same: sometimes, it’s better to be blind.
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