Approving applicants based on income

[Cristie Bryan]

I am a new landlord with my first application. I use an online service that does background checks and credit checks with a fee. Two people applied, 24 hours apart. I like both applicants.

Applicant #2 has double the monthly income than that of applicant #1. Applicant #1 barely meets my income requirement, but she does meet it. Applicant #2 obviously far exceeds that.

Am I legally obligated to accept applicant #1 because her application was in first and she technically qualifies?

[Thomas S.]

No you are not obligated to choose any specific applicant regardless of the order they were submitted or screened. You have a responsibility to accept the most qualified applicant that best suites yous standards and property needs.

Landlords that accept first past the post have no understanding of their responsibility to get the best possible tenant.

Remember when a landlord ends up with a bad tenant it is always the landlords fault for having chosen that individual.

Protect you investment, always choose the best.