Tenant selection (picking the correct tenant for the house)

[Tim Brown]

I have a SFH that I am helping my partents rent out. We have each potential appilcant fill out a general application ( contact info, work history, previous landlords, number of teants, and number and type of pets).

In the past I have gone through the applicants and based on what I think is correct for the home ( I don't want a family of 5 renting a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home ).  

I realize denying applicants based on protected classes is illegal and immoral.   If I have 3 applicants that have similar work history, clean backgrounds, and similar credit score, then is it okay to choose an older single person over a younger couple.

I should state that the most recent tenant I did a terrible job of choosing and after just a year we threw the carpets out and filled two dumpsters with house and yard trash.  So this time around I am looking for a "low impact" tentant.

Bigger Pockets has been a great treasure trove of information.  

Thanks for all the help.