How to deny qualified tenants

[Richard Jahnle]

I showed my rental unit yesterday and had 3 couples apply who all meet my criteria. They all emailed their applications within 4 hours of each other. They are all qualified but my gut tells me to go with the 3rd set of tenants who applied, as I think they will be there for multiple years due to the one tenant just starting his medical residency at a nearby hospital.

My plan was to email the other 2 tenants and say "I had a lot of interest in this unit and opted to proceed with another applicant. Thank you for your interest in the unit and good luck with your search." 

Is this response (or me picking the 3rd applicant to apply) breaking any fair housing laws that could come back to bite me?

Also if the denied tenants email me back and ask whey I proceeded with another applicant, I don't really have a reason other than I went with my gut. What is the best thing to say? 

[Ghazey Aleck]

Your response is fine.  It is not breaking any fair housing laws.  Applicants understand, especially in hotter markets, that they can lose out.  You don't need to give them a reason why you chose another applicant.  You can confirm that they met all requirements, if that is their concern, but ultimately another applicant was chosen.  Nothing more needs to be said.