# Creating and Managing Criteria Sets

### What are Criteria Sets?

**Criteria Sets** are pre-configured templates that define the screening requirements you want to apply to your rental listings. They serve as reusable standards that ensure consistent tenant screening across all your properties.

#### Key Benefits

* **Consistency**: Apply the same screening standards across multiple listings
* **Efficiency**: Create once, use for multiple properties
* **Compliance**: Automatic integration with local and federal regulatory requirements

### How Criteria Sets Work

#### Template System

1. **Create** criteria sets as company-wide templates
2. **Select** a criteria set when creating a new listing
3. **Apply** the criteria to the specific listing
4. **Customize** listing-specific criteria without affecting the original template

#### Regulatory Override

**Important**: When creating a listing, Rentzap's system first checks applicable [Regional Rules](/help-docs/key-concepts/regional-rules.md) and will automatically override any conflicting criteria from your criteria set to ensure compliance with local and federal laws.

### Creating a New Criteria Set

#### Step 1: Start Creation Process

1. From your **Criteria Sets** dashboard, click **"Add New Criteria Set"**
2. The "Add new criteria set" dialog will open

#### Step 2: Basic Setup

1. **Name**: Enter a descriptive name for your criteria set (e.g., "Standard Rental", "Luxury Properties", "Student Housing")
2. **Company Default**: Optionally check "Set as company default" to make this your default criteria set for new listings
3. Click **"Save"** to create the criteria set

#### Step 3: Configure Criteria Categories

After creation, you'll be taken to the Criteria Set Details page where you can configure all screening requirements.

### Criteria Categories Overview

Your criteria set includes the following configurable categories. We've built out a guide for each category to explain your options in detail.

#### Lease Requirements

#### Income Requirements

#### Credit Requirements

#### Background Requirements

#### Residential History

#### Pet Policies

#### Assistive Animals

#### Guarantors

### Managing Existing Criteria Sets

#### Editing Criteria Sets

1. Click on any criteria set name to view details
2. Click **"Edit"** next to any criterion you want to modify
3. Update the settings and save changes
4. Changes only affect future listings created with this criteria set

#### Company Default Settings

* **Setting a Default**: Check "Company default" when creating or editing a criteria set
* **Usage**: Default criteria sets are automatically selected when creating new listings
* **Flexibility**: You can still choose different criteria sets for specific listings

### Using Criteria Sets with Listings

#### Listing Creation Process

1. When creating a new listing, select your desired criteria set
2. The system applies all criteria from the template
3. Regulatory rules are automatically applied and may override template settings
4. You can then customize criteria specific to that listing

#### Listing-Specific Customization

* **Independent Changes**: Modifications to listing criteria don't affect the original criteria set template
* **Property-Specific Requirements**: Add unique requirements for individual properties
* **Regulatory Compliance**: System ensures all customizations remain compliant

### Public Display of Criteria

#### Application Link Integration

When you create a listing:

* **Transparent Screening**: Your exact criteria are displayed to applicants through the application link
* **Clear Expectations**: Applicants see all requirements before applying
* **Compliance Statement**: Automatic inclusion of fair housing compliance language

#### Applicant Experience

The public listing displays your criteria including:

* Income requirements
* Credit score minimums
* Background screening standards
* Pet policies
* Occupancy limits
* All other configured criteria and public disclosures

### Removing Criteria Sets

#### Deletion Process

1. Navigate to the criteria set details page
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page
3. Click **"Remove Criteria Set"**
4. Confirm the deletion

#### Important Considerations

* **Permanent Action**: Deletion cannot be undone
* **Template Independence**: Existing listings retain their criteria even after template deletion


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