What must an owner do if they want to deny an application based on credit history?

To deny an application based on credit history, an owner must follow the screening criteria outlined in the Tenant Screening Policy (TSP). This policy typically includes specific guidelines and standards that owners must adhere to when evaluating applicants, including the criteria for acceptable credit history. By adhering to these criteria, owners ensure compliance with fair housing laws and provide a consistent and transparent process for all applicants.

Following established screening criteria also helps to protect the owner from potential legal repercussions. If the criteria are well-documented and consistently applied, it demonstrates that decisions are made based on objective standards rather than subjective opinions.

While providing a written explanation and informing the applicant immediately are important aspects of communication and compliance with regulations, the primary action required when denying an application based on credit history is to ensure the decision aligns with the defined criteria in the TSP. This helps ensure fairness and consistency in the application process for all potential tenants.