Tenant Screening Process: Handling Tenant Rejection

As a landlord, you are subject to Fair Housing laws. Therefore, when you’re rejecting an applicant, you must make sure it’s for a valid reason. By following the process we’ve outlined in this guide — including screening tenants over the phone, requesting a rental application, and requiring credit and criminal reports — you’ll have plenty of information to make educated and fair renting decisions based on the prospect’s ability to pay the asking rent amount.

You don’t always need to cite the reason you are rejecting an applicant, but you should keep a record in case they accuse you of being unfair or using discriminatory screening practices. Note that you can also reject an applicant on the basis that you’ve already selected other qualified applicants.

To be courteous to your prospective renters, you should always contact them to inform them that their application was rejected. If you choose, this could be the right time to let them know why, even if it’s just that you have accepted another qualified applicant.

Learn more about properly rejecting a prospective tenant.