Would You Approve This Tenant?

[Mark S.]

Got email from PM stating they have an application on my 4/1 SFR in Memphis, TN. They want to know my thoughts on whether or not I want to approve applicant (they've since denied 3 other applicants for poor credit and bad rental history).

Applicant makes 3x the monthly rent. Works in healthcare as billing representative and has been working there for 3 years. No verifiable rental history and presently living at home (and has been for a year). Single individual, no pets. Credit score below 575.

Rent is $950/month.

Would you approve this application?

I asked the PM and they said they normally would not approve it (but it looks like they’re reaching out to me to see if I want to make an exception).

[Anna Sagatelova]

If your LL denied 3 prior candidates based on credit, they should not approve a 4th applicant with same/similar credit situation. If there were other factors that led to the prior 3 being denied, this may be ok, otherwise you could be looking at a potential Fair Housing claim if those credit standards are not evenly applied to all applicants.