Credit Criteria

Completing a rental application serves as authorization for procuring a credit report. Brick & Vine utilizes an automated screening service provided by an outside third party. This automated service consistently and fairly evaluates each applicant in compliance with all FHA and FCRA laws.

• All applicants must have a satisfactory history of meeting financial obligations, including rent, loans, and credit.

• Outstanding debt owed to other landlords/housing providers exceeding $100.00 within the last 72 months will be an automatic denial.

• A minimum weighted household average credit score of 620 or above is required.

Disqualification Criteria

Bankruptcy Disqualifiers

Open bankruptcies will cause an automatic denial unless a court letter of dismissal or discharge is provided. Dismissed or discharged bankruptcies that appear on the applicant’s credit report may be considered. Any rental debt waived due to a dismissed or discharged bankruptcy may result in a declined application.

Rental History Disqualifiers

• 4 or more late payments within the past 24 months.

• 3 or more returned payments or non-sufficient funds (NSF) transactions within the past 24 months.

• 2 or more outstanding balances within the last 24 months.

• 1 or more rental-related write-offs greater than $100 within the past 72 months.

• 1 or more rental-related collections over $100 within the past 72 months.

Civil Courts Records Disqualifiers

• 2 or more filings/unlawful detainers (initial eviction filings) within the past 24 months.

• 1 or more monetary judgments greater than $100 within the past seven (7) years.

• 1 or more awards of possession/forcible detainers (final eviction judgments) within the past seven (7) years.

Criminal History Disqualifiers

Criminal history is evaluated based on multiple classification criteria designed to ensure the safest possible living environment. History is evaluated based on the type of event and the amount of time passed since its disposition date. Specific inquiries on event types and age requirements can be sent to renthomes@brickvine.com.

Crimes that automatically result in denial, regardless of the time since the incident, include:

• Sex-related offenses

• Crimes against children & family members

• Violent crimes

• Major crimes against property

Income Criteria

Household income is calculated based on the total gross (before tax) monthly income of all household members eighteen (18) years or older.

Minimum household income gross (before taxes) must be at least three times (3x) the monthly rent or $2,500.00, whichever is greater.

All household income must be verified through resident-provided documents (paystubs) or third-party employer written verification. Our screeners are trained to identify fabricated pay stubs and paystubs purchased online. Any attempt by an applicant to falsify income or any other information submitted in the application process will result in immediate denial.

Income Documentation

All income must be accompanied by verifiable proof of earnings. Below is a list of regularly requested documents, additional documentation may be required.

• Employed (60+ Days)

  • Paystubs for the past sixty (60) days. (Pay Period: Weekly = 8 paystubs, Bi-Weekly = 4 paystubs, Monthly = 2 paystubs)

• New Employment (0-60 Days)

  • Applicants who have been with their current employer for fewer than sixty (60) days should provide any paystubs received AND an Employment Verification Letter confirming the date of employment and terms of compensation.

• Future Employment

  • Signed and dated offer letter on official company letterhead with the hourly rate (specifying how many hours will be worked each week) or annual salary.

    • Must include start date along with any recent paystubs from current employer.

    • The start date must be within 30 days of application submission.

    • Employment letters with conditional employment clauses may not be acceptable.

    • Employment will be independently verified during the screening process. Delayed response to employment verification requests may result in a decline of the application.

• Self-Employment

  • Most recent tax statement; annual income after taxes must be at least three times the annual rent AND

  • 90 days of most recent bank statements, showing an average daily balance of at least five times (5x) the monthly rent AND

  • Copy of business license that validates ownership.

• Retired

  • Current statement showing pension, IRA, or any other supporting retirement income from issuing agency OR

  • 90 days of most recent bank statements showing the deposits of retirement income

• Benefits Income (Social Security, Disability, GI Benefits, etc.)

  • Award letter or statement from issuing agency (dated within the past sixty (60) days) OR

  • Most recent disbursement statements from the Social Security Administration OR

  • 3 most recent bank statements showing direct deposits.

• Child Support Income & Alimony

  • Official court order AND

  • Proof of payment for the previous three (3) months.

• Liquid Savings (Cash Savings)

  • The most recent three (3) months show an average daily balance of at least thirty-six times (36x) the monthly rent, equal to three times (3x) the annual rent.

• Cash Tips/Gratuities

  • Bank statements showing proof of cash deposits for the previous three (3) months.

• Section 8 / Rent Subsidy Voucher Participants*

  • Minimum household income of $2,500.00. Only the disclosed PHA portion of the subsidy voucher may be included as an income source.

  • Subsidy vouchers issued must match the exact bedroom size for the selected rental property. Brick & Vine does not allow voucher recipients to go up or down a bedroom size regardless of the local public housing authority’s policies.

  • * Section 8 / Rent Subsidies for single-family homes are currently only accepted in CA & OH.

Have Questions? Just Ask.

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