Fair Housing Question

[Rich Lodge]

Hi All, My partner and I are in the process of placing a tenant and have had a very large number of people interested in the available unit. My question is, from a fair housing act standpoint, are we obligated to accept the first tenant that submits an application and meets our criteria? Or, can we reject someone like this and choose a more qualified applicant, even if they apply after a technically qualified prospect applies? I'm imagining a scenario where we get 5 applications in one day, and the first just meets our minimum criteria, while the last far exceeds our criteria. Appreciate any feedback!

[Colleen F.]

Choose the process that suits you and be upfront about it.  If you decide on first qualified you can do that or you can accept applications until a certain date and use a point system. (you can't give points related to the protected classes).  You will stay out of trouble usually by doing first qualified but that does not mean you can't do a point system. Examples are a higher credit score is more points. Better previous landlord reference more points.

Completed applications define when you should consider someone when you are doing first qualified, not when you see the place. If you receive 4 on the same day I seriously doubt there will be an issue if you take the best qualified and I am going to bet some won't be complete. I would wait to see how many calls turn into applications.