Clear communication is key here. 

By emphasizing your qualifications as the basis for your decision, you steer clear of potential issues related to discrimination.

However they made it clear that unless we would pay them something unreasonable, they weren’t leaving without a fight.

Make sure to have clear rules in place.

@Dave Foster thanks so much for that clear response. 

That's one of the arguments for not clearing.

They will typically take a cut of the development fee and it’s worth it.

Here’s how you could approach this:Set Clear Criteria: Use objective criteria (e.g., income, credit score, rental history) to evaluate applications in the order they are received.Notify Applicants: Let each applicant know you will process applications sequentially and explain your timeline for review.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.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!

For the first time in years I’ve noticed many of the larger apartment complexes even offering the first month free to fill vacant units, so it’s clear that demand is down.

Quote from @Alexandra Helms: Quote from @Dziko Thunde: @Alexandra Helms Quite a quick reply and clear one too.