Comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports:
Consider this statement as notification that we do not accept a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report.
 
MDC
Resident Qualification Criteria
Seattle, Entrata
Areas of qualification are:
 
Income:                                    
 
  • Verifiable monthly income of 3 times the rental amount or verifiable accounts with available cash or cash equivalent balances of 36 times the rental amount.
  • If verifiable monthly income is 2.5 -2.99 times the rental amount, then a partial payment of last month’s rent or a qualified cosigner will be required.
  • If verifiable monthly income is less than 2.5 times the rental amount, a qualified cosigner will be required.
  • Verifiable income includes, but may not be limited to, income from an employer or self-employment, SSI, disability, unemployment, food stamps, pension, investment funds, 401K, financial aid, student loans, court appointed alimony and child support.
  • All alternative sources of income will be taken into consideration in accordance with any applicable State law.
  • Verifiable accounts include savings, checking, money market, and net cash value of accessible investment accounts.
  • The final recommendation will also be dependent on credit and rental history.
 
                                                     
Credit History:                  
 
  • Credit assessment based on Experian Vantage 3.0 Score.
  • 700-850 Credit Score will qualify for approval with standard deposit.
  • 650-699 Credit Score will require a partial payment of last month’s rent or a qualified cosigner.
  • 600-649 Credit Score will require a qualified cosigner.
  • 300-599 Credit Score will result in denial.
  • Lack of established credit history (score) without derogatory credit will require prepayment of last month’s rent or a qualified cosigner. If rent increases during the tenancy, prepayment of last month’s rent is a partial payment of rent.
  • The final recommendation will also be dependent on income & rental history. 
 
Rental History:                
 
  • 12 months valid, verifiable rental history or mortgage history.
  • Valid rental history is a written lease or month-to-month agreement.
  • If rental history is less than 12 months, then a partial payment of last month’s rent or a qualified cosigner will be required.
  • Any combination of 2 of late payments, NSF checks, noise complaints and/or lease violations within 12 months will require a partial payment of last month’s rent or a qualified cosigner.
  • The final recommendation will also be dependent on credit history and income.
 
OTHER:
 
  • For multiple applicants, income will be combined and the recommendation will be based on the same qualifications outlined above.
  • For multiple applicants, the highest credit score will be utilized for qualification purposes for the unit. A score of 300-599 will still result in denial.
  • International Students will be required to meet the same standards as above.  In addition, they are required to show a copy of a current Form I-20 at application. This satisfies the income requirement and conditions for a lack of established credit history.
  • The standard refundable deposit is $1,000.
  • The partial payment of last month’s rent is equal to 50% of the monthly rental amount.
  • The holding deposits is $300. Conditions outlined below and in the paper application.
  • Convenience fees may apply to online payments.
 
SECTION 8 APPLICANT CRITERIA:
All Section 8 and subsidy program applicants are required to meet the same criteria as stated above, with the exception that the applicant only needs to meet income requirements for their portion of the rent (i.e., that portion of the rent after deducting the amount of the subsidy). Prepayment of last month’s rent is not applicable to Section 8 applicants.  Recommendations will be made following the above set standards.
 
 
COSIGNER RENTAL CRITERIA:
A cosigner will be APPROVED if all the qualifications below are met. If the cosigner does not meet any one of the following criteria, then the cosigner will not qualify.
RENTAL HISTORY:                  1 year of valid and verifiable rental or mortgage history with no late payments*
CREDIT HISTORY:                   Experian Vantage 3.0 credit score of 700-850 with no derogatory credit history*
INCOME:                                   4 times the rental amount of the unit in verifiable, garnishable income or verifiable accounts (as described in INCOME above) with available cash or cash equivalent balances                                                      of 48 times the rental amount.
*                                                 A combined 2 or less late payments in these categories will not lead to denial if the accounts are not currently delinquent
 
 
GROUNDS FOR DENIAL WILL RESULT FROM THE FOLLOWING ON ALL APPLICANTS (INCLUDING SECTION 8):
Falsification of rental application
Verified (unpaid) eviction showing on credit report or confirmed with landlord.
Unpaid Rental collection verified on credit report and/or any balance owing to landlord
3 or more late payments, non-sufficient fund checks, noise complaints, and/or lease violations within a 12-month rental period
Breaking lease agreement that will result in collection filing
Open or non-discharged bankruptcy
Previous employment with MDC
Credit score less than 600
Lack of established credit history (score) with derogatory credit (unpaid non-medical collections, judgments, past due accounts, etc.) history reporting.
 
OTHER DISCLOSURES:
Please be advised, a landlord (within the Seattle city limits) is prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting an applicant, or taking adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except sex offender registry information which is the result of an adult criminal conviction – as described in Subsection 14.09.025 A3., 14.09.025 A4., and 14.09.025 A5, and subject to the exclusions and legal requirements in Section 14.09.115. 
 
We do not automatically deny applicants based on sex offender registry that is the result of an adult criminal conviction.  Rather, consideration is based on the nature of the offense and time passed since the date of final disposition.  Supplemental information can be provided to the landlord by the applicant, or produced on behalf of the applicant, with respect to the applicant’s rehabilitation and/or good conduct.  Supplemental information may include, but is not limited to: conviction information; certification of rehabilitation; written or oral statements by the applicant, past or present employer(s), current and prior landlord(s), members of the judiciary or law enforcement, parole officer, member of clergy, counselor or therapists, social workers or similar person(s).
 
Valid photo identification will be required of all applicants.
 
Conditions to hold an apartment:
  1. Each adult over the age of 18 must complete a separate application and submit to the landlord or landlord's agent (Landlord) or Landlord’s screening partner.
  2. All non-refundable processing (application) fees must be paid to Landlord or Landlord’s screening partner.
  3. After conditions 1 & 2 are satisfied, the apartment will be held until 48 hours after application approval or conditional approval. To continue the hold, a holding deposit must be paid within the 48 hours. If applicable, a complete cosigner application and application fee must also be submitted within the 48 hours.
 
HOLDING DEPOSIT CONDITIONS:
You acquire no rights to the rental unit unless or until a holding deposit is paid to Landlord. If a holding deposit is paid and the application is denied, the holding deposit will be returned. If the application is approved and you choose not to move in, the holding deposit is forfeited and will be retained by the Landlord.
 
 
 
MDC Resident Qualification Criteria Seattle Entrata Revised 4 13 2026