Do it quickly so they can move on. Only reasons to give for rejection are: 

1. credit report 2.criminal history 3. poor references from other landlords 4. prior eviction 5. income. 

Everyone should be treated exactly the same. A form letter by email is best practice.

"Thank you for your application; however, we have selected another tenant."

OR

"Thank you for your application; however, it failed to meet all criteria required for further consideration.

Haha, I was in showbiz - I know rejection letters! 

And yes, they need to be written.

1.  First I ask them about their credit...that is the fastest way to reject someone.  I also let them know I run a credit and background check.

2.  If they say they have good credit,  I then give them an application for a pre-lease (about 10 questions) that includes questions about pets, their job, smoking, when they expect to move in,  who will be living there...

3. IF that is satisfactory, next they fill out an on line link to a credit and background check.

4.  IF that is satisfactory, then I exchange a lease for all the money due.

It is not about rejecting them...it is about qualifying them to be acceptable.

• I never show a rental until I ask some pre-liminary questions.
• I am never in a hurry to rent anything.

I typically get 50-75 calls on my rentals...I just asked questions and take information.  I then only showed it to the person that sounds perfect.

A rejection letter? Nope.  I promise nothing.

Eve

.

If they ask then I tell them why they were rejected, otherwise I dont.

I let people know from the beginning what to do to become part of the choosing pool...Cooperation, transparency, following instructions and honesty ups the game. In the end, whoever does not get it is let off gently, with respect and much thanks plus I wish everyone well or give an encouraging word. The key is never to give false hope...

Depends on what you find about them, bad credit, eviction, no employment stability, etc.

Very Simple, "sorry, but we have better qualified applicants. "

Be factual.

     In writing, by email.  Have your real estate attorney prepare a standard "rejection letter" that complies with local, state, and Federal fair housing laws.  

That's a great question to present to your Broker Jenifer Kynor 

I agree with Candice A. Donofrio and others. 

written notification that "your application has been denied" the end.

Do it in writing, always,

Follow Fair Housing Law rules, to make sure your reasons are legitimate.

Thank goodness we have a property manager that deals with all of this. I suppose the best way is to just be a professional about it. 

document reason for rejection. Contact them ASAP the property is taken.

Instead of just no, I would say this just doesn't work for me.

Jenifer Kynor Caroline Gerardo makes a good point to use a form letter. A mistake here may result in a Fair Housing issue.

Good luck.

Select minimal parameters as instructed by the landlord that the applicant must meet to be approved - ex. applicant must have a a credit score of xxx, and any others. Let the landlord do the rejection, if applicant needs to be rejected, "never" you should do the rejection.... unless you like to be sued by professional tenants...

You'll need to do that a lot if you work with rentals. Do it personally or via email. Thank always for applying.

Jenifer Kynor - provide the 'straight' answers on why the application is rejected. Simple.

For my personal rentals, I do exactly as Candice A. Donofrio mentioned...and yes, do it in writing.

I think that Richie Alan Naggar gave a great answer.  A

I don't deal with tenants so unfotunately have no real advice for you.

Thank you. Good answers are here. 

Great answers are here.

Thank you.

Not doing rentals, Caroline has the right idea.

"I'm sorry, but the landlord has decided to reject your application.  No reason was given."

I assume a polite no should suffice.

Depends if they were rejected because they did not meet certain rental criteria or if it was because of their credit score.  If you local or state association do not proivde a rejection form you should have an attorney prepare one.

Caroline Gerardo  nailed this one!

"Thank you for applying, the owners went with an applicant they felt was more qualified applicant based on credit score, income and references."

Numbers (The Big 3) are what we base our decisions on:

score

income

phone numbers to previous landlords