# Write consistent tenant screening criteria that follow fair housing

A written rental application and screening policy applied the same way to every applicant, with adverse action steps.

- Topic: Legal & Compliance
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Legal, Write, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/write-consistent-tenant-screening-criteria-that-follow-fair-housing

## Prompt

```text
Help me write tenant screening criteria for my rental properties.

**Property type and location (state, city):** [DETAILS]
**Rent and unit details:** [RENT, UNIT SIZES, OCCUPANCY LIMITS IF ANY]
**What I currently check:** [CREDIT, INCOME, RENTAL HISTORY, EVICTIONS, CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, REFERENCES]
**Application fee and holding deposit practices:** [AMOUNTS AND REFUND RULES]
**Subsidized or voucher applicants:** [DO I ACCEPT HOUSING VOUCHERS - note any local source-of-income law]

Draft a written policy with:
1. Minimum criteria stated objectively (e.g. income-to-rent ratio, verifiable rental history), and how each is verified.
2. A first-come, first-qualified processing order and how applications are time-stamped.
3. How to evaluate applicants with vouchers, co-signers, or nontraditional income consistently.
4. Criminal history: an individualized assessment approach (nature of the offense, time passed, relevance to tenancy) instead of blanket bans. Federal guidance in this area has changed over time and many cities and states restrict what can be considered or when it can be checked, so mark this section [CHECK LOCAL LAW].
5. Reasonable accommodation requests (e.g. assistance animals) and how to handle them.
6. Adverse action: the notice required when denying or adding conditions based on a consumer report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
7. Record retention.

Also give me a one-page applicant-facing version. Flag every place where state or local law may differ as [CHECK LOCAL LAW]. This is general information; have a local landlord-tenant attorney review before use.
```

## What to fill in

- DETAILS
- RENT, UNIT SIZES, OCCUPANCY LIMITS IF ANY
- AMOUNTS AND REFUND RULES
- CHECK LOCAL LAW

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.