Set criteria before reviewing
Define lawful rental criteria in advance and apply them consistently rather than changing standards for individual applicants.
Screening Decisions & Compliance
Denying a rental application after screening
A landlord may make a rental decision using lawful, consistently applied criteria. If a tenant screening report influences a denial, higher deposit, added cosigner requirement, or other less favorable terms, the Fair Credit Reporting Act may require an adverse action notice and specific disclosures to the applicant. State and local requirements may also apply.
This page provides general product and compliance information, not legal advice. Housing and consumer-reporting requirements vary by location and situation. Consult qualified counsel about your obligations.
Decision Process
Use documented, consistent criteria
Review the full context
Check that report information belongs to the applicant and consider the application and screening details together.
Document the reason
Keep a consistent record of the criteria used and the reason for the decision, subject to applicable privacy and retention rules.
Send required notices
If consumer-report information influenced adverse action, provide the notices and disclosures required for your situation.
Adverse Action
What the notice generally communicates
An adverse action notice generally identifies that report information influenced the decision and explains the applicant's consumer-report rights.
- The name and contact information of the consumer reporting agency
- A statement that the reporting agency did not make the rental decision
- The applicant's right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information
- The applicant's right to obtain a free copy of the report within the applicable period
See Porcher's Tenant Screening & FCRA Policy for the platform-specific process.
Fair Housing
Apply the same standards consistently
Do not use protected characteristics in screening decisions. Neutral criteria can also create legal risk if applied inconsistently or if prohibited by applicable law.
Read the Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination PolicyPorcher's Role
Information, not the decision
Porcher presents application and screening information. It does not select, approve, or deny applicants. The landlord remains responsible for the rental decision and resulting notices.
Understand the screening reportFAQ
Rental denial and screening questions
Can a landlord deny a rental application after tenant screening?
A landlord may make a rental decision using lawful, consistently applied criteria. If consumer-report information influenced a denial or less favorable terms, the FCRA may require an adverse action notice and specific disclosures to the applicant.
What is an adverse action notice for a rental application?
An adverse action notice tells an applicant that consumer-report information influenced the decision and provides required information about the reporting agency and the applicant's rights to obtain and dispute the report.
Does Porcher decide whether to approve an applicant?
No. Porcher provides application and screening information. The landlord or property manager makes the rental decision and remains responsible for lawful, consistent criteria and required notices.
Do fair housing laws apply to tenant screening decisions?
Yes. Landlords must follow applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws and should apply the same documented criteria consistently to every applicant.
Review screening information in one place
Create a free landlord account and use Porcher to organize applications and reports.
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