accepting multiple applications

[Fredrick C. Oesterle]

Single family house renting in Goodyear AZ. I have multiple applicants that have applied. 2 look promising but both want to wait a month to  move in. Can I, or should I, approve both applications and then see who signs the lease first?

[Patrick O'Sullivan]

Hi Fredrick,

It’s great that you have two strong applicants for your property! When managing multiple applications, it’s crucial to ensure your process is both fair and compliant with local, state, and federal housing laws, including the Fair Housing Act.

A best practice to avoid any perception of bias or confusion is to process and work on one application at a time. Here’s how you could approach this:

1. Set Clear Criteria: Use objective criteria (e.g., income, credit score, rental history) to evaluate applications in the order they are received.
2. Notify Applicants: Let each applicant know you will process applications sequentially and explain your timeline for review.
3. Act Promptly: If the first applicant meets your criteria, move forward with their application and provide them with a clear deadline to sign the lease and pay the deposit.
4. Move to the Next: Only if the first applicant does not meet the criteria or declines the lease should you proceed to the next application.

By focusing on one application at a time, you simplify the process, maintain transparency, and mitigate any potential fair housing concerns.

Lastly, since housing laws can vary by location, double-check Arizona’s landlord-tenant regulations to ensure compliance with any local rules about how applications are handled.

Best of luck with your rental process! Feel free to share updates or ask additional questions.