Reasons I denied tenant applications

[William Bucklin]

I recently did tenant placement for a friend of mine. These were some of the reasons i did not accept certain applicants. I’m looking for feedback on if these are good reasons or if are they are eliminating good prospects. Also any other screening “rules” you would suggest.

First was if they left the “do you smoke” question blank. If they did smoke I’d have a conversation that the entire property is non smoking, however if they left this blank I saw as being evasive/deceitful. Not something I’d feel comfortable seeing in a tenant.

Second was talking badly about their current landlord. Maybe their landlord wasn’t great, but to me if you talk bad about them you’ll talk badly about your new landlord.

Third. I had applicants ask me every day for an update after I had given them a timeline for a decision. To me if they are high maintenance applicants they’ll be high maintenance tenants.

Fourth. When it took more than 3 business days to complete an application.

Anything too strict? Any of it helpful? And any other experiences you’ve had that made you add screening rule?