Pre-Screening Tenants and how to Properly Decline Them

[Thomas O'Donnell]

Hey guys! So I recently listed the other side of my duplex for rent, and whenever I get a message about it, I send the same response to everyone saying "thank you for your interest in this home. Please fill out this form and I will get back to you regarding a showing", and then I put a Google forms link. This link asks basic contact information, if they have pets, if they smoke, credit score, income etc. If someone fills this out and I see that either their credit is very low, or maybe they have pets/smoke which does not meet my criteria, how should I properly let them know I cannot move forward with them? I am using this method so people can disqualify themselves before either of us waste our time going through the process. It is important everyone basically gets the same type of message so I don't violate any fair housing laws. I am planning that if I get enough leads through the form (obviously not everyone will be honest), then I will schedule some showings, and then after those showings I will have people fill out an actual application. Does anyone have any tips about how I should handle this? Or any input that might be useful for me? I'd really appreciate it!

[Anthony McEvoy]

You simply state they do not meet the minimum rental requirements.

I have bluntly told that to candidates.  Its easiest with rent.

Do the candidates know what your requirements are?  If you put an actual number for the credit score and income, then it will be more obvious they do not qualify.  Always use numbers when you can.  Also, state all information will be verified.  Don't get me wrong, no matter what you put on the form, there will always be someone that tries to go through the process.