Denying applicants on Zillow

[Kathryn Maslanka]

Hi, newbie landlord here. I'm using Zillow's rental manager and so far it has been very helpful. I just got an application from someone who didn't meet the credit score requirement. 

It is my understanding, that for every applicant I must send the adverse action letter. Has anyone done this via the zillow platform before? They have automated so much but I can't really find a simple way to send the formal letter. 

They do provide email. Is it okay to email?

Thanks for your help! I am trying to make sure I do everything correctly as it is my first time and want to be careful to follow fair housing rules. 

Kathryn

[Jody Sperling]

I'm 100% open to correction here, and I know laws vary from state to state, but I recently rented my home using only Zillow. The interest was so overwhelming I saw no point in using other platforms.

At any rate, numerous applicants used the Zillow application, and more than half failed to qualify for my minimum requirements of a 600+ credit score, 3x gross income, and no-prior-evictions.

I dealt with the fair-housing concern by thanking every applicant and informing them that a decision would be forthcoming. After I identified and completed the lease signing for the fit-tenants, I replied to any outstanding applicants with a thank you note, and wished them the best of luck house hunting.

Perhaps I'm wrong here, but by telling all interested applicants that their application was being processed, I didn't discriminate against anyone, and when I informed any applicants with outstanding applications that the home had been rented, I did not have to address why I had selected my tenants or why they had not been selected as tenants.

Best of luck finding your ideal tenants!