Can a Landlord Hide Certain Apartment Units from Prospective Renters?

When searching for a new apartment, tenants expect transparency. Yet some renters notice that not all available units are shown during tours or listed online. This raises the question: Is it legal or ethical for a landlord to withhold certain apartment options? The answer depends on the intent, the context, and whether fair housing laws are being followed.

Why Would a Landlord Hide Units?

There are various reasons why a landlord or property manager might not show all available units:

• Staggered leasing strategy: To manage vacancy rates or control tenant mix, some landlords release units gradually.
• Ongoing maintenance or renovations: Units undergoing repairs or upgrades may be temporarily withheld from the market.
• Internal preference: Management may favor certain units for specific applicants or hold them for corporate leases or friends.
• Price manipulation: In some cases, landlords might steer renters toward higher-priced or less desirable units to maximize profits.

When It Becomes a Legal Issue

If unit withholding is done selectively based on race, religion, national origin, gender, familial status, or disability, it may violate the Fair Housing Act. For example, if a landlord routinely hides ground-floor units from families with children or steers certain applicants away from specific buildings, this can be considered discriminatory and illegal.

How to Protect Yourself as a Renter

To ensure you're seeing all viable options:

• Ask directly if there are other available units not being shown.
• Request a full list of vacancies, including floor plans and pricing.
• Do your own research — apartment listing sites may display units not mentioned during a tour.
• If something feels suspicious, consider reporting it to local housing authorities or a fair housing agency.

Transparency builds trust, and renters have a right to make informed decisions. While not every hidden unit is cause for concern, consistent lack of access to information may suggest deeper issues — from poor management to potential violations of housing law.