Can I not schedule a tour if tenant doesn't pass my prescreening questions?

Question

I am new to this screening process, first time listing units in the market and getting request for tours. I have told everyone that before scheduling a tour we do a prescreening call.
If a tenant, shows during prescreening call that for example they don't meet our 3x/rent income threshhold, can I go back to them and say we are currently scheduling showing for prospective tenants that meet our screening criteria.
Is that legal and fair? I am in Chicago for reference

Paul De Luca · Answer

@Maya Jones

Yes, pre-screening is allowed and recommended before scheduling showings. If you showed your property to anyone you would waste a lot of time.

You will quickly learn that even pre-screened renters are often flaky (won't show up or will cancel) or will not entirely be honest about things like their credit score. For this reason I recommend doing group showings for efficiency.

Personally I don't do a pre-screening call but make sure the renter states in writing that they meet the renter requirements. Don't just take them at face value for "yes, I meet the criteria". Ask follow up questions such as "can you confirm your credit score" or "what is your gross monthly household income", "when are you looking to move in?". I can't tell you the number of times someone has told me they meet the renter requirements but then they say their credit score is actually 500 and make below the minimum income amount. It may be more efficient to send renters a short form to fill out to avoid back and forth.

Make sure to apply your screening criteria to everyone equally and not violate fair housing laws.

Marc Winter · Answer

"Equal rights" means all people are treated equally.  That applies to the acceptance or rejection of an application.

In your situation, I'd make sure to send those pre-screening questions to the applicant and get their answers in writing.  Maintain those files in perpetuity.  That will eliminate 'he said, she said' arguments.

Lastly, do not be afraid to refuse to show the rental unit to an unqualified prospect so long as you have written proof of their disqualifying statements, and all applicants are treated the same.

Remember, the laws are designed to provide equal treatment to all, not acceptance of all applications.

We always provide the same rotten service to all our applicants and tenants.  ;-)

Marcus Auerbach · Answer

A really good book on this topic: Landlording on Autopilot by Mike Buttler - he used to be a cop, street smart

Theresa Harris · Answer

the whole point of screening is to ensure the tenants are a good fit.  As long as you don't violate any policies (eg discriminate based on race, age, gender, etc), you should be fine.  Look up fair housing policies.

Tyler Foshe · Answer

Thanks Marc for that great suggestion to get answers to pre-screening questions in writing from prospective tenants.

David Peschio · Answer

@Theresa Harris is spot on.  You should be able to prescreen so you are not wasting time showing to somebody who will not qualify.  Pets is an example - if you do not allow and they have one why waste time to show them the property.

Jennie Ballard · Answer

Are your tenant requirements listed on rental posting and applied equally to all applicants?

David Peschio · Answer

@Maya Jones I would say no - should be some cut and dry requirements - not something like that - best thing is to ask same questions to each applicant and not something like a disagreement with a landlord.

Peter Mckernan · Answer

This is a good way to not waste your time going out to the property, what we like doing is having these questions answered proper to meeting them. If they say no then that is okay, but if they still want to see the place I have my team go out show this person and other people at the same time to get a feel for competition even if that person is not fully good for the property. Also, think about this person if they do not meet the 3x gross in income and 3x gross rent in their bank account but meets all the rest of the stuff.. They may have a solid cosigner to help them out as long as that person signs as a grantor.

Can I not schedule a tour if tenant doesn't pass my prescreening questions?

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