Legal question on Denying and applicant

[William R.]

I would like to deny an applicant based on a reference from a previous LL. He believed the tenant was involved in illigal activity. The LL asked me not to disclose that he provided the information. Question: Can I deny and applicant based on a reference without disclosing it? The candidate meets all of my minimum rental criteria, his references just didn't check out.

[Kyle J.]

You only have to disclose if you deny them based on information obtained solely, or in part, from their consumer credit file. Here's some more reading on that: What Landlords need to know about the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

In your example, assuming the landlord's information came from the applicant's rental application and not his consumer credit report, you would not legally have to disclose your reason.