For what reason can a landlord legally reject a tenant applicant?

A landlord can legally reject a tenant applicant for a criminal conviction because many landlords have policies in place that assess an applicant's background in terms of public safety and the risk they may pose to the community or other tenants. A criminal history can be viewed as relevant information when evaluating whether a tenant may be responsible or compliant with lease terms.

Landlords often consider factors such as the nature of the conviction, how long ago it occurred, and the context surrounding it. This is primarily to protect their property and ensure a safe environment for all residents. As such, it is permissible for landlords to use this criterion as a legitimate reason to deny an application, provided they comply with applicable laws regarding how they assess criminal records in the context of rental applications.

In contrast, the other reasons listed are not typically considered valid justifications for rejection. Excessive rental history may imply a tenant has been actively renting but does not inherently indicate they would be a bad tenant. Preference for different applicants shows bias and can lead to discrimination claims, while employment proximity to the property does not directly impact a tenant’s ability to meet their rental obligations.