I think this type of screening policy might not meet the legal requirements in my state.
Our main criteria is that the exact same criteria must be equally applied to everyone. So the first applicant who meets the criteria gets the apartment.
I do, however, help prospects "pre-qualify" themselves by explaining the major points of the criteria on the phone so they wont waste their money and my time just to be denied.

Each post sounds like you have one available apartment and that many people are applying for...gee, congratulations. Here is how the real world works. A person applies for an apartment which you then hold for them until their credit report/screening comes back from the screening company you use. In my opinion it is dangerous to do all the credit/employment checking yourself. Using a service for that is smart; the service has never seen or interacted with the applicant therefore do not know gender, color, national origin etc so they are unbiased. You may be unbiased also but it could appear not so. Point system is great, but I am unclear why you aren't holding the apartment for the individual until their 'scores' are in...with today's methods you should know something in half an hour! Agree 100% with pre-qualifying. We have been doing that for 40 plus years...or we have supposed to be doing it! What do they need, when do they need it, how many people, animals/pets, some idea of rent budget. If consistent nothing wrong with chatting about criteria and any special circumstances like nonsmoking environment. The only legal tool we have, really, is the application. PLEASE in conversational pre-qualifying, your attitude should be saving them time, trip, effort; not just to save you trouble. Smart to tell them to bring their ID and anything else you need so they can apply readily and easily. (for their benefit, not yours. Being self serving is obvious...be careful!

I think the statement, "Before inviting a potential tenant to look at your property, ask a few questions over the phone to save everyone some time" is the most dangerous line I have read in a long time. I realize you are not a manager or leasing professional, however, you are writing an article from an "expert's point of view." As such, you are actually saying in this article it is okay to prejudge someone over the phone so you won't waste your time. Let me just say this: people oftentimes do not communicate well in a phone conversation and having an in-person visit to the property is 99.99% more effective than a phone call. You will find out answers by walking side by side with the Prospect on a tour of the community and apartment than in a phone call. Leasing professionals can ask generic "qualifying questions as to budget, number of occupants residing in the home, if there are pets, etc. but just because the Prospect answers they have a pet, for example, does not mean they will bring that pet if your property is pet restrictive. To assume they don't qualify because you don't like what you are hearing is a dangerous game I will not allow my team to play, and frankly neither should anyone. Even though you may "invite" someone to the property so as not to "discriminate", let me tell you - If you have a condescending, unwelcoming telephone demeanor, these Prospects may very well never visit. Who are you essentially denying before they ever feel welcome to submit an application?