Tenant Screen Timeline

[Tracy Uscinski]

I have listed my first rental apartment ☺ My parameters were set high in the listing to avoid too much traffic for tenants who would not qualify. It was listed 13 days ago, I have had 8-inquiries, 2-showings and 1 of which submitted an application and was screened yesterday. The other who saw the apartment has messaged me a couple of times since the showing, expressing interest but has not submitted an application. I had envisioned having several qualified applicants and choosing the best fit from among them. Is it unprofessional to make the tenant applicant wait a few more days to see if other applications come in? I also do not want to wait too long a lose a potentially good tenant. Thanks for your input!

[Nathan Gesner]

I disagree.

First, it's unprofessional to simply sit on an application waiting for someone better to come along. Either the applicant meets your standard or they don't. If they meet your standard, rent to them. If they don't, disqualify them and wait for someone that qualifies.

Second, you run the risk of a Fair Housing violation. If the first applicant is a member of a protected class, they can claim you discriminated against them based on their protected class, not their credit report or income or Landlord reference. How would you defend yourself? If they meet your basic requirements but you failed to rent to them because you were holding out for someone better, it will look like you were holding out for someone whiter, or without kids, or not Jewish, or whatever.

If you have two applications processed at the same time, it's justifiable to choose the "best" applicant but you need to ensure you can prove your decision objectively.

The best, most professional policy is to have qualification standards and accept the first applicant that meets those standards.