What do you tell rejected applicants?

[Cassi Justiz]

How much detail do you guys give to rental applicants who get rejected?  

I do the generic "as a policy I am unable to discuss specifics regarding the owner's decision." We have rental qualifications listed on the application that they have to sign off on. So theoretically they have the opportunity to look over the qualifications prior to applying.

Does anyone go over the rejected applications with applicants or give them a list of qualifications they don't meet. The reason I'm asking is because I found the "adverse decision" template in buildium and it made me really uncomfortable. Basically it's a nicely worded letter that includes a list that you check off all of the reasons you rejected their application. 

Thoughts? 

[Matthew Olszak]

Technically if you decline based on information provided by a Consumer Reporting Agency (IE credit report, background check, etc) you have to give them an Adverse Action notice (SmartMove can provide this for you if you use them) which will state where the applicant can investigate further and dispute the information.

I tell applicants simply: "We have received your application and unfortunately it does not meet the qualifications for this property." If they ask why, "Unfortunately I cannot provide any further information". If I chose someone more qualified, "We have accepted another applicant for this property".

There really isn't any need to discuss further - all you are doing is inviting an argument or long-winded explanation. If your criteria is firm this is just the way it is. You can give folks your qualifications up-front, and some who won't qualify still apply thinking you won't catch the issue, and then will swear they don't know why they were declined. Not worth the time, they know why.