How to inform a prospective tenant they did NOT get approved

[Tony Castronovo]

After screening prospective tenants and making a selection, am I obligated to let the applicants who did NOT get approved know why they didn't make it?  Not sure if it's best to "say nothing"....be vague....or tell them specific reasons.  I had two applicants that invested a lot of time in the process and had to choose one.  Have not yet let the applicant who didn't get the property know but need to today.

[Thomas S.]

As long as you are a responsible individual and do not discriminate against the most prominent classes you can operate your business any way you choose. As a private landlord the least of your concerns should be "fair housing" regulations. Protecting your business will not get you in hot water.

A applicant would first have to file a complaint, the housing gestapo would decide if a investigation should take place and most likely, for the type of infractions most private landlords do it will never be pursued. The order you process applications is not worth the bother to be investigated.

Regarding your question about notifying applicants I give the same answer to everyone denied.. "I am sorry to have to inform you but you have not been accepted as a tenant."

That answer gives them nothing to complain about and if they ask why I simply say it is not my policy to provide that information.

As with screening a standard policy is mandatory and the less the information you provide the less they have to complain about. It is not a applicants business to know how I screen or determine who does and who does not meet MY requirements. They may have been rejected because I did not like their personality.