| Criterion | Primary standard | Alternative qualifying paths |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Verified household income at 40× monthly rent, annualised. | Qualified guarantor at 80×; documented liquid assets covering the full term; or a verified 24-month income history. If a subsidy is used, the test applies only to the resident-paid portion. |
| Rental-related credit | No rental-related collections or judgments within 24 months. | Qualified guarantor; twelve months of documented on-time rent; or a written, supported explanation assessed individually. No minimum credit score. |
| Rental history | Two references from prior landlords or managing agents. | Employer reference plus documented payment history for applicants without a prior rental history. |
| Identity & income source | Government-issued identification and verification of employment or lawful income source. | Applied to every applicant. Lawful source of income is never used as a negative factor. |
| Legal background check | No criminal-history inquiry before the owner has made a conditional housing offer and delivered the required notice. | If an owner elects a legally permitted review after a conditional offer, only records allowed by the NYC Fair Chance Housing Law may be considered, with all required notices, process, and individual assessment. Twelvemonth does not make the housing decision. |
How decisions are handled
Each application is logged against every criterion. If an applicant does not qualify, the relevant standard is identified and the applicant can provide an alternative document or supporting context.
What vetted member verification means
The contemplated vetted member review covers identity, credit, rental history, lawful income documentation, landlord or professional references, recommendations, reviews, and a legal background check only when permitted. It is a time-limited review of available information—not a certification, endorsement, or prediction of future conduct.
Owners remain responsible for lawful diligence, conditional offers, consumer-report notices, and every housing decision. These draft standards require final review by New York counsel before paid verification opens.