Written Criteria

Screening That Protects Your Rental

The tenant you choose decides most of what happens next: whether rent arrives, how the home is treated, and whether you ever see a courtroom. We screen every applicant against the same published criteria and verify the answers, on every plan, including Lease Only.

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Our screening criteria, published

The same standards applicants see on our rental requirements. Credit scores use the combined average of all applicants.

Income
  • Gross household income of 3 times the rent, or 2.5 times with strong credit
  • Or verifiable liquid assets of at least 2 times the total rent for the lease term
  • Guarantors accepted, if they qualify independently under the same criteria
  • Self-employed applicants provide the last 2 years of tax returns
Rental history
  • The last 2 years of rental history must be verifiable
  • Up to 2 late payments in the past 24 months for standard approval
  • No outstanding debt to a prior landlord
  • No evictions, subject to applicable law
Credit
  • 650 and above: approved with the standard deposit
  • 600 to 649: conditional approval, possibly with a higher deposit
  • 550 to 599: considered only with a larger deposit and strong compensating qualifications
  • 549 or below: declined

These criteria are an outline, not a rigid formula. Every application is reviewed as a whole, and a good credit score or high income never overrides a poor rental payment history.

Why written criteria protect you

Same standard for every applicant
Written criteria applied the same way to everyone is how screening stays consistent and compliant with fair housing law. No gut calls, no exceptions made at the door.
Verified, not taken on faith
Every application is checked against credit, income, background, and rental history records. In Florida, knowingly submitting false rental application information is now a crime, and we treat forged documents accordingly.
Backed by our guarantees
We stand behind the tenants we approve: a 12-month placement guarantee on full-service plans, and up to $750 in eviction protection on 24 Protected.

Just need a screened tenant? Our tenant placement plan includes this full screening at 0% monthly.

Tenant screening questions, answered

How do property managers screen tenants?
A good manager measures every applicant against written criteria and verifies the answers instead of trusting the application. We check credit, income, background, and rental history, and every application is reviewed as a whole against the same published standards for income, rental history, and credit. Our full criteria are on this page and on our homes for rent page, so applicants see the same rules you do.
How do you handle pets and assistance animals?
Pets are screened and must be approved in writing before they enter the property. Service animals and emotional support animals for people with disabilities are not pets under federal and Florida law, so they cannot be refused or charged pet fees. Our pet policy page has the details.
What if an applicant has a low credit score?
Credit is one part of the picture. Scores from 550 to 649 can be considered with a higher deposit and strong compensating qualifications such as solid income and a clean rental history. A good score never overrides a poor rental payment record, and 549 or below is declined.
How long does screening take?
Once an application is complete, most decisions come back quickly. Approved applicants must pay a holding fee equal to one month's rent within 24 hours, which separates committed renters from casual ones and keeps your home moving toward a signed lease.

Get a tenant who pays and stays.

Free rental analysis from a licensed Florida broker, usually within one business day. Or call (407) 588-9600.

Get Your FREE Rental Analysis
Free Rental Analysis Call (407) 588-9600