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.

[Mike Cumbie]

Nope, I would not have age, familial status etc be a part of it at all. If you choose the applicant with the cleanest car, the nicest dressed when they met you, the best maintained current apartment, the stronger company they work for, it's one thing. Choosing the older single person.... bad juju.