Landlords should always evaluate rental applications objectively, applying qualifying criteria in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner. Following are nine reasons (qualifying criteria) why you may want to reject a rental application:

• The applicant had an unsatisfactory reference from a prior landlord concerning their rent payment record, the condition of the premises when they vacated the property, noise problems, neighbor complaints, or illegal activity.
• The applicant does not meet the minimum income and debt to income ratio qualifications as applied to all applicants.
• One of the applicants or prospective occupants is a smoker.
• The applicant does not meet your criteria for a minimum number of months on the job. This criterion must be applied in a consistent, non-discriminatory manner. For example, many landlords will not consider income where the applicant has been on the job for less than six months.
• The applicant's credit report does not meet your criteria. Again, your criteria must be applied consistently, and in a non-discriminatory manner. Your criteria can be based on a credit score or a maximum number of thirty, sixty, and/or ninety-day late payments within a defined period of time.
• The applicants have a pet and you do not allow pets.
• The applicants exceed your rental criteria by having too many vehicles. As always, you must establish criteria and apply it consistently and in a non-discriminatory manner.
• You are unable to verify the income of the applicant through their employer, check stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
• The applicants have moved from one location to another an excessive number of times and for short periods of time. You must establish criteria and apply it consistently in a non-discriminatory manner.

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