If you are denying a person’ application based on information that you obtained from a credit report – if that is the case then you must provide them with a letter notifying them that they have been denied based on information contained in their credit report and that they have the right to obtain a free copy of their credit report — this is federal law.

I am not aware of any state of municipal law that requires you to notify an applicant if you have denied their application. So technically if you did not obtain a credit report on the applicant, then legally you do not need to notify them that they were denied.

from a management perspective, I think it is good practice to notify an applicant if you have denied their application. They took the time and effort to complete the application and provide you with very personal information —- so I think it would be a best practice to provide them with the curtesy of a response.

In Wisconsin, there is no legal requirement that you provide the applicant with a basis for your denial of their application.

From a practical management viewpoint however, I would definitely reccomend that you at least advise an applicant that there