When you are screening the applicants, you need to know the following: Income and employment verification: if the applicant doesn’t have sufficient income to pay the rent, it is legal to send a rejection letter based on insufficient income. Credit: Credit checks are vital as they give you insight on whether or not the applicant has a habit of paying their bills late or at all. Poor credit history is another simple and valid reason to properly decline to rent to someone. Housing history: One of the applicants may not have had a good credit report. However, they may not have any evictions listed, and they may have a great rental history. However, if the applicant has an eviction or multiple evictions listed, as the landlord, you are within your rights to reject their application. Pets, cosigners, and other considerations: you have the right to reject a potential tenant based on pet ownership and their cosigners or other considerations.