Rental Payment History

The borrower’s rental payment history must be documented for the most recent consecutive 12-month period. The following documentation is acceptable:

• Canceled checks can be provided. In lieu of canceled checks, the underwriter may use the borrower’s bank statements, copies of money orders, or other reasonable methods for documenting the timely payment of rent. The documentation must clearly indicate the payee and amount being paid, and reflect that payments were made on a consistent basis.

• Direct verification of the payment of rent from the landlord. Direct landlord verification is acceptable whether the landlord is an individual or a professional management company.

At least one borrower on the loan must be able to document a rental/housing payment as a nontraditional credit reference, the loan has met the rental payment history requirement. The originator is not required to obtain documentation of a rental payment history for other nontraditional credit borrowers on the loan. However, the originator must still document the minimum number of nontraditional credit references required for each nontraditional credit borrower.

If two or more borrowers on a loan share the housing-related reference (for example, they are both named on the lease for the property in which they are living), that documentation counts as one nontraditional credit reference for each borrower, even if only one borrower has been making the payments.

Note: If the credit report contains a rental payment reference and it includes the required information, including payment history, then the lender may use that rental payment reference as an acceptable nontraditional credit reference.