Screening tenant with arrest record - help!

[Account Closed]

Hi BP and Happy Sunday!

In the process of screening tenants for my first ever rental property. I've read the BP book on manging rental properties, and other articles and such about the Fair Housing Act, and am wondering if or how I can decline a tenant on the basis of their criminal record from their background check.

Here's what we're dealing with:

-A misdemeanor drug possession charge from 5+ years back. Outcome lists the conviction date, fine amount, and says "Active Warrant" (does this mean the individual has an active warrant out for their arrest??)

-A recent (within past 6 months) homicide investigation with outcome "no billed," which means they were never indicted, just arrested for it

So my question is how would you proceed with this application?

-Deny (on what basis - I've read of people being sued for discriminating against felons, and this individual was technically never even indicted for the crime)

-Ask for more information directly from tenant (not sure how to go about doing this)

-Other suggestions?? The tenants have credit scores just slightly above my minimum cutoff and meet my other hard criteria, so I don't have a clear criterion to point to as my basis for denial. The co-applicant did file for bankruptcy years ago and still isn't exactly a "responsible" credit user, but the score does meet my minimums.

Thanks for any and all help!

[Thomas S.]

Keep taking applications, do not screen him any farther, when you find a applicant more qualified inform this applicant that the vacancy has been filled. No explanation or reason required when rejecting any applicant.

This applicant has too many red frags to bother considering.