Rental Application Response - Applicant wants details

[Matt Pastier]

Hey everyone, I finished renovating my first SFH rental and have approved my new tenants. I set minimum qualification standards and waited for the tenants that exceeded them. It took time, but I’m really glad I did and they’re doing to be a great fit. I then had to decline the others. One in particular had good credit, the income, but has a record of breaking leases early. In addition, his last landlord told me that the place was trashed - animal feces, liquid stains on the carpets, etc. I sent an email to them stating that I was declining the application for two reasons: o The rental was given to an individual(s) who was more qualified based on our screening standards. o You did not meet our minimum screening standards for references and occupancy history. The applicant is now asking for more details on the second bullet because they think the last landlord is trying to cause trouble since they broke the lease early. I really don’t want to get in the middle of this. What would you do? Should I give them details or keep it brief? Thanks for any advice here!

[Steve B.]

Don’t respond. Why borrow trouble?