Tenant Screening Question

[Mindy Jensen]

So I posted recently about the new HUD regulations regarding tenant screening and blanket denial for any criminal record. It created a very interesting discussion, but also prompted some questions, at least for me.

I've read through the landlord tenant laws for all 50 states plus DC, and I don't recall this being addressed in any state.

Are you legally required to process applications in the order they were received? 

Are you legally obligated to give reason or even notice that an application has been denied?

Are you only obligated to give reason or notice if you have processed an application and charged the applicant a processing fee?