How to Reject Application due to Mold Comments

Question

I have potential tenants who so far have met all criteria.  One put on his application that he is highly sensitive to mold as a note for the landlord.  Ive never had a mold or moisture complaint in this house. Ive had another house tested due to tenant complaints and they have found nothing.  However the tenants bailed on rent for 2 months and used it as an excuse.  Can I reject this tenant to avoid future waste of time and money?  If so, how?

Michael Dumler · Answer

@Peyton Alford Mandzic yes, just go with one of the other applicants. Don't risk the chance of having to deal with a tenant that complains about mold and misses a payment because of it. Even if all the other boxes are checked, it's not worth the hassle. Find another tenant before locking in a fixed lease. Hope this helps!

Gail K. · Answer

Avoid an applicant who is already complaining about being sensitive to mold.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Remember: you can deny someone for any reason, as long as you are not discriminating against them because they belong to a protected class. If you don't like people with facial tattoos, deny them. If you don't like people that complain about mold, deny them.

Speaking of which, you would be wise to educate yourself on mold. When my tenants complain, I inspect to confirm and discover the source, I educate the tenants on how to clean it by sharing the EPA Mold Guide (see below) and my mold policy. If they want to break a lease over mold, they have to show evidence that its my fault, and that these mold spores are endangering their health. Neither is easy to do because the dangers of mold are highly exaggerated.

https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief...

If you connect and PM me, I can share my mold policy.

How to Reject Application due to Mold Comments

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