Properly rejecting a rental candidate

[Kevin Stolarski]

Hey Everyone- So I am new landlord and am very close to getting my first tenants in my  rental unit. My dilemma is I had two groups send in applications at the same time, pass background & credit check but one group is significantly better candidates. IE- more stable income, more tenant references, and the biggest reason-they are willing to pay an additional non refundable fee for their pet. I have read the BP book so I know how important/ fragile  is can be to reject a potential tenant  the right way. My question is, is it ok to simply get back to them and say there  are better qualified candidates? Also if this group is looking for a more detailed response  in addition to my adverse action notice as to why we are choosing another group, are the reasons listed above okay to use since they don't fall under any discrimination laws ( age, sex, religion) Thanks for your time and help with this

[Thomas S.]

You never tell any applicant why they were rejected. You do not tell them a more qualified candidate was selected. You never give reasons or details and if questioned you simply state that you do not release that information.

Unless your state regulations state otherwise they are not entitled to know and to protect yourself legally you never say anything to rejected applicants. If you want to avoid ending up in court everything you say must be very limited. 

Rejected applicants are told....."I am sorry to inform you your application has not been accepted, the unit has been rented"