One process. Property-specific criteria.

Our standard is a consistent, documented review process for every applicant. Each owner supplies written, lawful requirements for the property. Different owners may use different criteria, but the same criteria and review method apply to applicants for the same property, subject to legally required accommodations and program rules.

We do not apply a company-wide income multiple, minimum credit score, or automatic guarantor requirement. A familiar market convention is not a legal requirement.

Know the requirements first

Before an application or screening charge, ask your agent for the property’s written requirements sheet. It should identify:

• The apartment, owner or authorized reviewer, rent, lease term, and availability.
• The financial criteria, lawful sources of funds considered, and accepted evidence or alternatives.
• Any lawful credit-review or guarantor criteria and how limited credit history is handled.
• Application order, missing-document procedure, and decision contact.
• Permitted charges, payees, refunds or waivers, and accommodation contact.

The broker must review each sheet before use. Program eligibility rules for regulated or subsidized housing must be identified separately.

Documents & alternatives

We request only information reasonably needed for the disclosed criteria. Evidence may include pay statements, benefit or award letters, rental-assistance documents, tax or business records, or other reliable proof of lawful funds. The appropriate documents depend on the source of income; employment is not the only way to qualify.

Applicants without a Social Security number can use our International application and request the alternative verification process from the agent. Lack of an SSN alone will not trigger an automatic denial or guarantor requirement under this policy. Do not enter a fictitious SSN.

Rental assistance & guarantors

Lawful rental assistance must be considered. Under NYC guidance, when a program sets the tenant’s rent share based on income, additional income tests and guarantor requirements are prohibited. If assistance covers all rent, credit history cannot be a basis for rejection. For a tenant-paid share, a rigid score cutoff is evidence of discrimination; review must be individualized.

For other applicants, any lawful guarantor option must be disclosed and applied consistently. Owner preferences cannot override these protections.

Screening & fair chance protections

Credit review must be lawful, relevant, and based on accurate information, with required consent and notices. We use human review of concerns rather than automatic rejection from a screening score. Past or pending landlord–tenant court cases are not a basis for denial.

NYC Fair Chance Housing protections apply where covered. Criminal-history inquiries are not part of initial qualification. Any legally permitted later review requires the proper conditional offer and notice first, limited reviewable records, and the required individualized process. Applicants have at least five business days to respond before a covered provider may revoke an offer on that basis. The official notice explains the full process.

Application charges & move-in funds

For ordinary residential rentals covered by RPL § 238-a, a screening charge cannot exceed the actual cost or $20, whichever is less. The fee must be waived when a qualifying report from the past 30 days is supplied. A copy of the report and receipt or invoice must be provided. Separate processing charges cannot be used to evade the rule.

For ordinary New York apartment rentals, security is generally limited to one month’s rent. Extra security or prepaid rent will not be offered as a workaround for qualification concerns. Special property or program rules require review before quoting charges.

See our brokerage-fee policy.

Decisions & corrections

The authorized owner or reviewer makes the decision under the disclosed lawful criteria; our brokerage remains responsible for its own conduct. We provide a written explanation of a negative decision and a contact for questions or corrections.

If a consumer report contributes to denial or a less favorable condition, the required adverse-action notice must identify the reporting company, explain that it did not make the decision, and describe the rights to dispute errors and obtain a free report within 60 days. Credit-score use can require additional disclosures.

Accommodations & help

Ask for a reasonable accommodation or an alternative way to complete the process through info@signaturepropertyrealty.com or 347-460-4979. Requests can be made by phone or in writing. See Accessibility & Accommodations for further information.