ABA Family Legal Guide

Renting Residential Property

Renting Basics

Choosing a Tenant

Is a landlord allowed to discriminate in the selection of tenants?

Yes. The landlord can use legal criteria to select tenants, such as their past history of tenancy, the amount of income they have with which to pay the rent, their credit history, and their past criminal record. The landlord may also use personal criteria in selecting tenants, such as purple hair or nose rings. In some places, a landlord may even refuse to rent to certain people because of their occupation.