AZE.US
Men looking for rental housing in Baku, particularly university students, are increasingly encountering a blunt response from landlords: the apartment is available only to women or families.
The practice has become common in the capital’s rental market, where many property owners refuse to consider single men or groups of male students as tenants, AZE.US reports.
Landlords typically explain their preference by citing concerns that male tenants may fail to keep apartments clean, return home late at night, disturb neighbors or damage the property and invite female guests.
In some cases, such restrictions are linked to previous negative experiences.
Real estate agents confirm that many property owners specify from the outset that they will rent only to families, working women or female students.
Sociologists say the practice is also driven by stereotypes. Negative experiences involving a small number of tenants are often generalized, creating mistrust toward male renters as a group.
The restrictions create particular difficulties for students who cannot secure places in dormitories. They may be forced to search longer, accept less convenient housing or pay more for the limited options available to them.
Experts note that landlords in other countries also screen tenants based on personal preferences. In Baku, however, the phrase “men are not accepted” remains widespread, and the long-established attitude is unlikely to disappear quickly.
AZE.US