Reject Applicant For Tenant References

[Aaron Linden]

Hey BP,

Situation: Potential tenant applicant uses a person convicted of dealing cocaine (felony) and convicted of felony forgery with intent to defraud as a character reference. This person happens to be an in-law.

Now I have other reasons for rejecting this applicant but I want to know what you think. Can you reject this applicant because of this? Does this count as a poor personal reference?

[Evan Polaski]

@Aaron Linden, I agree with @Theresa Harris.  Have your reasons lined up, in case something ever comes of it, but I would keep your conversation as general as possible.  Even if you say "I am sorry, we are not going to proceed with you".  They ask why, and you are not required to answer, or you give them the "you did not meet our tenant requirements".  

The more you talk, generally the more you open yourself up to trouble, or at minimum waste your time and theirs.