How to decline tenant for reason other than screening criteria?

[Nate Hemby]

Hey BP,

I’m reading Managing Rental Properties by Brandon Turner and have a question about pre-screening and rejecting tenants. In this section of the book, Brandon lays out 7 types of tenants you don’t want to rent to because they’re likely to cause issues. 

Let’s assume that a prospective tenant meets all of your pre-screening criteria, but you find that they are one of these types of “trouble tenants” during the showing. Are you able to reject the tenant based on your in-person assessment of them? If so, what do you use as your rejection reason on their adverse action letter?

Thanks,

Nate

[Theresa Harris]

I haven't read the book you are referring to, but in general if you don't like someone for a legit reason (eg you get a bad feeling) simply tell them you found another tenant.  You can't discriminate based on race, gender, etc, but you can turn an applicant down based on attitude.