Tenant selection process

[Jason R.]

I have three potential tenants scheduled for showings in the next couple days. We are renting our MIL studio. The rental is in high demand and I am wondering how I can choose if all three tenants are interested.

-Should I run tenant screening on all of them? Then choose based on results? Will I need to explain to each why they were not chosen?

-The unit is on our primary residence and I would like to choose partly on my non-discriminatory gut feeling. From what I’ve read this doesn’t seem to be enough.

-Should I only run a screening on one at a time? Or am I pretty much required to except applications from them all.

I’ve just never had to deal with a situation where more than one party is interested. Just trying to get the best tenant and avoid a sticky situation.

[Anthony Wick]

@Jason Reinen

A big complaint around here lately is tenants paying the background app fee and then not being chosen because somebody else was picked.

I really dislike charging numerous people and picking one. You’ve just wasted their money. Yes, it’s legal. I’m just not a fan.

You could do a free preliminary check on income and employment, contact current and prior landlords, online court checks, Facebook snooping, etc. Ask applicants what their credit score will show, no felonies, no evictions. I do all this for free to start.

No two applicants will be the same. After you weed out based on the free preliminary check, submit the best one with the application fee. If they pass, then they get offered the rental. Then you tell the other applicants the unit has been rented.