How To deny applicants... legally... effectively......

Question

- Had an open house with 18 applicants, processing 18 different applications, I charge 30.00 now.

- 5 were fantastic applicants. Only ONE can obviously be selected

- How do I deny? Do you guys have a Valid message I can send?

- What’s the best way? HELP! I hate SAYING NO TO PEOPLE LOL.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

You choose the best applicant and give the others a very short, professional notice:

Time to toughen up a little. If you can't reject an unqualified (or less-qualified) applicant, how are you going to tell them that grandma's death isn't a valid reason for not paying rent?

Kevin S. · Answer

@Charlie Moore assuming all 5 of them met all of your rental criteria (since you said they were "fantastic") then I'd go with the one you received a completed application from first, and for the rest of them send a short email or txt like @Nathan G. suggested. Don't provide any details on why they weren't selected to rent your property, staying vague is always a good idea, and most likely you'll receive nothing more than "okay thanks" as a response, if you even receive a response at all from them. I'm also with Nathan on the fact that you need to get thicker skin, this is a business and if you can't stand telling someone they can't rent from you then I question whether you'll be able to handle the harder stuff that being a landlord entails (i.e. bad tenants/evictions/etc.).

Colleen F. · Answer

Thank you for applying . .  we have selected another applicant.   I give the selected applicant x time to respond and don't reject the best backup applicant until I have money in hand from the #1 choice.  Some people will have no problem saying no to you even after they paid their application fee.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

You can deny people for any reason that does not violate fair housing law. If you don't like tenants with facial tattoos, that may be a legitimate reason for refusing them. Dirty car? Earn all their money as a stripper?

The list of possible reasons is too long.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Charlie Moore  if they ask just say we accepted another applicant.  If you want to say more just say we had a number of qualified applicants. If you still want to say even more say a more qualified applicant applied prior to you.  In your case what would be the point of giving reasons?  They aren't going to change your mind and if you don't have another unit coming up they need to move on in their search.

Now If you reject for credit you need to send and adverse action letter. You can read the guidance on this but it doesn't apply often because you can reject for so many other things.  Most people don't even apply if you explain your credit policy and they don't  make the cut.   That said I have sent adverse credit action when I continue to advertise a unit on which an unqualified applicant has been rejected and I haven't yet filled it.  I wouldn't bother in your case.

Jordan H. · Answer

I always feel like even if someone didn't like the way a dimple looked on an applicants cheek and you turned them down because of that you can always just respond with "we found other tenants". How is someone to know the actual reason of denial unless they are the person doing the denying?

Dennis M. · Answer

“ I hate sayin no “

Dang bro , you gotta  toughen  up to survive this business ! No is the most powerful word a landlord can say

Bryan Blankenship · Answer

@Charlie Moore Just what @Nathan G. said! There's no need to try and explain yourself to them. It's a very simple transaction. It's not like you were interviewing people for a job! :)

You can be a great landlord without being soft on them. All tenants really want is open communication and reassurance that they're heard when there is a problem that needs addressed. The other applicants will understand that not every one of them can "win." Make sure you have everything you need in your lease with them upfront, spelled out very clearly!

Greg M. · Answer

Many states and cities prohibit discrimination based on source of income. While they are targeting Section 8 payments, it would cover any legal income.

Charlie Moore · Answer

@Nathan G.

Do you have a list of legal reasons I can use to deny tenancy? What’s the most

Common reason you give

How To deny applicants... legally... effectively......

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