Rental and qualification criteria
Effective date: [Insert date]
Property: [Property name and address]
1. Purpose
These criteria explain the requirements used to review applications for individual bedrooms in the shared-living rental unit.
The same written criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants. Submitting an inquiry, completing an application, paying for screening, or receiving a tour invitation does not guarantee approval or reserve a room.
2. Shared-Living Arrangement
The property offers private bedrooms within a shared-living home.
Applicants may apply for one of the following arrangements:
➡️ Private Room — One Resident
One approved resident occupies the private bedroom.
➡️ Private Room With a Co-Resident — Two Residents
A primary applicant may share the private bedroom with one approved co-resident whom the primary applicant selects.
The property does not assign unrelated people to share the same bedroom.
For either arrangement, residents receive:
➡️ One assigned private bedroom
➡️ Access to designated shared common areas
➡️ Shared use of the kitchen, living room, dining area, and assigned bathroom facilities
➡️ A month-to-month rental arrangement
➡️ Occupancy subject to the rental agreement and house rules
Applicants should review the room details, shared-space information, house rules, costs, and application process before applying.
3. Occupancy Requirement
A private bedroom may be occupied by:
➡️ One approved resident; or
➡️ One primary resident and one approved co-resident
No more than two approved residents may occupy one bedroom.
When two people want to occupy the same room:
➡️ They must apply together.
➡️ Each person must complete the required application and screening process.
➡️ Each person must meet the applicable qualification requirements.
➡️ Approval of one person does not guarantee approval of the other.
➡️ Both people must be approved before either person moves into the room.
➡️ Both approved residents must sign the required rental documents and house rules.
A resident may not allow another person to move into or regularly occupy the bedroom without prior written approval and completion of the required application and screening process.
Occupancy remains subject to the bedroom’s size and configuration, available facilities, the shared-living arrangement, and applicable housing and occupancy requirements.
Requests for reasonable accommodations will be reviewed individually.
4. Age and Authority to Rent
Each applicant must be at least 18 years old or otherwise legally authorized to enter into a binding rental agreement.
When two people apply to occupy the same room, each person must meet this requirement.
Age will not be used to discriminate against an applicant where protected by applicable law.
5. Room Costs
Monthly Charges
The $1,200 two-resident monthly amount consists of:
➡️ $900 base monthly room rent
➡️ $300 additional co-resident charge
The monthly amount applies to the room arrangement. It is not divided into separate rental accounts for the two residents.
One-Time Charges
The placement fee is $150 for each resident. The initial cleaning fee is $100 per room, not per person.
The monthly amount applies to the room arrangement. It is not divided into separate rental accounts for the two residents.
Total Expected Before Move-In
Additional screening charges are separate from these move-in totals.
Application and Screening Charges
Rental application fee: Waived
TransUnion SmartMove screening: $25 plus any applicable tax per applicant, paid directly to
TransUnion SmartMove
Traditional credit report: Not required
➡️ ResidentScore®: Included in the selected package but not used to determine qualification
➡️ Each applicant must complete and pay for their own screening directly through TransUnion SmartMove. When two people apply to share a private room, each person must purchase a separate screening.
The selected package includes a criminal background report and ResidentScore. The property reviews the criminal background report according to its written screening policy. ResidentScore is not considered when approving or denying an application.
The screening payment does not guarantee approval, reserve a room, or guarantee a tour invitation.
The selected TransUnion SmartMove package includes ResidentScore®. ResidentScore is not part of the property’s qualification criteria and will not be used to approve or deny an application. See the ResidentScore Policy below.
Room-Placement and Initial Cleaning Fees
The one-time charges cover:
➡️ Administrative work required to complete each resident’s placement
➡️ Preparation of the room and shared areas for move-in
➡️ Initial cleaning performed before possession begins
These charges are not intended to be held for future property damage, unpaid rent, or the final month’s rent.
The applicable charges become nonrefundable after all applicants for the room are approved, sign the required rental documents, and accept placement in the selected room.
If the room cannot be provided, placement is cancelled by the property, or the applicant is declined before a rental agreement is signed, any placement or cleaning amounts already collected will be refunded.
The third-party screening fee pays for the screening report. It does not guarantee approval, reserve a room, or guarantee a tour invitation.
6. Financial Qualification
A traditional credit report and ResidentScore are not used to determine financial qualification. The owner may instead request reasonable documentation showing that the applicant or applicants can meet the applicable monthly charge, move-in costs, and other amounts required under the rental agreement.
No credit check is required.
Before approving an application, the owner may require reasonable documentation showing that the applicant or applicants can pay:
➡️ $900 per month for a one-resident room;
➡️ $1,200 per month for a two-resident room;
➡️ The applicable move-in charges; and
➡️ Other amounts required under the rental agreement.
For a two-resident arrangement, the applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the complete $1,200 monthly obligation. The property will maintain one room account and will not create separate $900 and $300 rental accounts.
Lawful income or resources may include:
➡️ Employment income
➡️ Self-employment income
➡️ Retirement income
➡️ Disability income
➡️ Public benefits
➡️ Housing assistance
➡️ Other lawful recurring resources
The property will comply with applicable source-of-income protections. Michigan currently includes source of income among its protected housing categories. MSHDA Fair Housing guidance
ResidentScore Policy
The TransUnion SmartMove screening package selected by the property includes both a criminal background report and ResidentScore®.
ResidentScore will not be used, reviewed as a qualification factor, or relied upon when approving or denying an application. The property’s screening decision will be based only on the written rental qualification criteria in effect when the application is submitted.
An applicant will not be denied, charged different rental terms, or required to pay an additional deposit because of their ResidentScore.
7. ResidentScore Policy
The TransUnion SmartMove screening package selected by the property includes both a criminal background report and ResidentScore®.
ResidentScore will not be used, reviewed as a qualification factor, or relied upon when approving or denying an application. The property’s screening decision will be based only on the written rental qualification criteria in effect when the application is submitted.
An applicant will not be denied, charged different rental terms, or required to pay an additional deposit because of their ResidentScore.
8. Rental History
Prior rental history is not required to qualify.
Applicants will not be automatically denied because they:
➡️ Have never rented before
➡️ Cannot provide a previous-landlord reference
➡️ Have an incomplete rental history
➡️ Previously lived with family or friends
➡️ Previously experienced housing instability
Rental history and landlord references are not part of the property’s current qualification criteria.
This standard applies to both the primary applicant and co-resident.
9. Criminal Background Screening
Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant.
Each primary applicant and co-resident will be screened individually. One person’s screening information will not be attributed to the other applicant.
The current criminal-record criteria are limited to the following:
Current Sex-Offender Registration
An applicant who is currently required to register under a federal, state, or local sex-offender-registration program does not meet the property’s current criminal background-screening requirements.
Murder Convictions
An applicant with a verified conviction for murder does not meet the property’s current criminal background-screening requirements.
A rental decision will not be based solely on:
➡️ An arrest without a conviction
➡️ A pending charge
➡️ An allegation
➡️ An internet search
➡️ Information supplied by a neighbor or other third party
➡️ An unverified or partial name match
➡️ A sealed, expunged, overturned, or incorrectly reported record
Other criminal-history information will not automatically disqualify an applicant unless additional written criteria are adopted before being applied.
The complete review process is explained in the property’s Criminal Background-Screening Policy.
10. Identity and Application Information
Each applicant must:
➡️ Complete the rental application accurately
➡️ Provide the identifying information required by the screening provider
➡️ Authorize the required screening
➡️ Provide reasonable supporting documentation when requested
➡️ Correct or explain material inconsistencies when given an opportunity to do so
When two people apply for the same room, both must submit their required information and authorizations.
Intentionally providing materially false information may result in denial or withdrawal of approval.
11. House Rules
Each applicant must review and agree to comply with the written house rules before entering into the rental agreement.
When two people apply together, both residents must separately acknowledge and agree to follow the rules.
House rules may address:
➡️ Shared-space use
➡️ Quiet hours
➡️ Guests and overnight visitors
➡️ Smoking
➡️ Parking
➡️ Cleaning responsibilities
➡️ Laundry
➡️ Safety
➡️ Damage to the property
➡️ Respect for other residents
➡️ Prohibited conduct
A request to modify a rule because of a disability will be reviewed through the reasonable-accommodation process.
12. Pets and Assistance Animals
Pets are subject to the property’s written Pet Policy. An assistance animal is not automatically treated as a pet. Disability-related requests involving assistance animals will be reviewed under the Accommodation and Assistance Animal Policy. Instructions for submitting a request are provided in the [Assistance Animal Reasonable-Accommodation Procedure].
13. Application and Tour Process
The current process is:
1️⃣ Review the room arrangements, costs, house rules, and requirements.
2️⃣ Complete the Room Requirements Check.
3️⃣ Submit a Room Inquiry.
4️⃣ Participate in a brief telephone or video conversation.
5️⃣ Complete the rental application and required third-party screening.
6️⃣ Receive a private tour invitation if the initial requirements are met.
Complete the final review, rental documents, required payment, and move-in arrangements if approved.
For a two-resident arrangement, both people must apply together and complete the required application and screening steps.
For the privacy and safety of current residents, the required application and screening must be completed before an in-person tour invitation may be offered.
A completed application does not guarantee:
➡️ Approval
➡️ A tour invitation
➡️ That a room will be held
➡️ That a particular room will remain available
➡️ Approval of the other person applying for the room
14. Application Review
An application will not be considered complete until all required information, authorizations, documentation, and screening results have been received.
For a two-resident application, the room application will not be complete until the required materials and screening results have been received for both people.
If one person qualifies and the other does not, the two-resident arrangement will not be approved as submitted. The qualified applicant may ask to be considered for a one-resident arrangement, subject to availability and financial qualification.
If multiple completed applications qualify for the same room, the property will use a predetermined neutral method. It will not select an applicant based on personality, appearance, family status, or a subjective belief about who will “fit in.”
15. Inaccurate Screening Information
An applicant may notify the owner and screening provider if they believe a report:
➡️ Belongs to another person
➡️ Contains inaccurate or incomplete information
➡️ Does not show the final disposition
➡️ Includes a sealed, expunged, or overturned record
➡️ Incorrectly reports current sex-offender-registration status
Each applicant must follow the screening provider’s dispute procedure.
The owner will comply with applicable notice requirements when a third-party consumer report contributes to an unfavorable decision.
For a two-resident application, one applicant’s dispute does not automatically change the screening result for the other applicant.
16. Equal Housing Opportunity
Applications will be reviewed without unlawful discrimination.
Federal protections include race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Michigan identifies additional protected housing categories, including age, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and source of income. Local ordinances may provide further protections. HUD Fair Housing Act overview, MSHDA Fair Housing guidance
The property will not use different qualification requirements, fees, application steps, or rental terms because of a protected characteristic.
The co-resident arrangement is not limited to married or unmarried couples. Two applicants will not be treated differently because of their marital status or other protected characteristics.
17. Reasonable Accommodations
Applicants may request a reasonable accommodation or modification related to a disability at any stage of the:
➡️ Inquiry
➡️ Application
➡️ Screening
➡️ Tour
➡️ Rental process
Applicants are not required to disclose unnecessary medical details during the general inquiry or introductory conversation.
Requests will be reviewed individually under the property’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy.
18. Decisions and Notices
Applicants will be notified whether:
More information is required
They may proceed to the next step
They are invited to tour
Their application is approved
Their application is denied
When two people apply together, each person’s eligibility will be reviewed individually, but both must be approved for the requested two-resident arrangement.
When a third-party screening report contributes to an unfavorable decision, the affected applicant will receive the applicable consumer-report and dispute information.
19. Changes to These Criteria
These criteria may be updated before a new application is submitted.
The criteria in effect when an application is submitted should ordinarily be used for that application unless a legal requirement necessitates a change.
20. Contact Information
Put Contact information here
Review our Fair Housing and Nondiscrimination Notice for information about equal housing opportunity, reasonable accommodations, and reporting a concern.
Screening and tour notice: For the safety and privacy of current residents, all prospective residents must complete the required application and criminal background screening before receiving an in-person tour invitation. No credit check is performed.
Shared-living notice: This is an individual bedroom in a shared home. Residents share designated common areas, including the living room, dining area, kitchen, and bathrooms. Utilities and Wi-Fi are included.
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