Showing less desirable units. Questions or statements which indicate a different selection process. Discrimination suits can be avoided by the development and implementation of a written tenant selection system which applies the same criteria to each applicant. The development of a written application policy defining your standards and requirements of applicants forces the property manager to consciously think about the process. Discrimination is illegal when a landlord treats one applicant or tenant differently than he treats another.
Discrimination is also illegal when the policy has a greater affect of excluding a particular group.
It does not matter where the income comes from as long as it is not from an illegal source and the person can show the ability to pay rent. It is best to follow a policy of written standards and requirements for the processing of all applications that are based on a business necessity and treat all people equally. You can have a requirement that no smoking is allowed in your rental because it affects your business. You will most likely have to re-paint or fix burns in the carpet before renting to the next applicant. Apply different rules, deposits or extra rental charges.