Permissible Causes For Refusal

THERE ARE REASONS YOU CAN REFUSE A PROSPECTIVE TENANT

The below topics are discussed in more detail
in our members' Permissible Causes page .

Also see: Tenant Selection | Tenant Screening |  Credit Reports

A landlord is entitled to be assured, within reason, that a prospective tenant will be a desirable resident. The key to avoiding problems with civil rights claims is to have routine standards that are not discriminatory. Then, if an applicant doesn't qualify, you can deny renting to them while showing that you have applied the same standard to all your tenants.

Make sure that your policies are clearly spelled out in written form. Be willing to discuss these terms or have copies available. Be sure that situations which will warrant an exemption to your policy are also noted. In selecting tenants, property owners and managers may use any criteria or guidelines that do not discriminate against the Federal seven protected classes .

Race - Color - Religion - Gender - National origin - Familial status - Mental or physical handicap.

Note: State law, and some cities, have added a great many other protected classes, including: age- children - military service - pets - sexual orientation - even political affiliation.

The above topics are discussed in more detail
in our members' Permissible Causes page .