Too many good tenant applicants

[Brian Barfoot]

I'm having a new problem. My latest property is all fixed up and ready to rent and I've given tours to several people, many of who have plenty of income for the rent and seem to be professional and a good match with the neighbors. I typically use smartmove for screening but it comes with a $35 fee (that I have the tenants pay and then credit towards the first month rent if everything checks out) and I feel bad asking several people to pay the fee knowing that some of them won't get the house. Do you have other ways of deciding before doing a credit/criminal check? Am I just being a softie feeling bad for people having to spend the money? 

[Jennifer L.]

Do you have applications that they have filled out?  I did online applications through Cozy which made it really easy to figure out who got their app in first.  The first applicant who met my criteria was asked to pay for credit/background.  When they passed, I told the other applicants that my rental was moving towards signing but I would contact them to let them know if the lease signed or fell through.  Some people paid for the background/credit check before I asked for them to.  In those instances, they were sub-par applicants who didn't meet my criteria.  I figured they were trying to push themselves through. It didn't work and I didn't feel bad because they had ignored my instructions.