Rethinking the Renter Journey: Inside VERO’s Modular Applicant Experience

In multifamily leasing, speed and precision are everything. The faster your team can verify applicants, identify risks, and approve qualified renters, the more stable your occupancy and NOI will be.

Since VERO’s founding, the Applicant Experience has been a critical component of that mission; a digital workflow that helps operators make fast, confident leasing decisions while delivering a seamless experience to renters.

Now, that experience is entering a new phase. VERO’s modular Applicant Experience expands the configurability, intelligence, and automation that leasing teams rely on every day. To understand how it's evolving, and why it matters, we sat down with Michael Wagnon, VERO’s VP of Customer Experience, to talk about how the platform is reshaping modern leasing operations.

Michael, VERO has always had a configurable applicant experience. How is that changing now?

Michael:
That’s true — VERO’s applicant workflow has always been adaptable. Operators could configure verification rules or tailor workflows to fit their portfolio. What’s new now is the level of modularity and automation we’re introducing.

We’re moving from “configurable” to intelligently dynamic. Each property can define its own logic — from income-to-rent ratios that fast-track applicants to the value-added services shown to a renter.

The system automatically adjusts based on applicant data, property type, and even leasing outcomes. So instead of a static series of steps, it’s now a living process that can evolve alongside your portfolio strategy.

What does that mean for leasing teams in practical terms?

Michael:
It means fewer roadblocks, fewer repetitive tasks, and a faster, clearer experience for everyone involved.

We’ve optimized navigation so applicants can complete submissions more quickly and with fewer errors. We’re also using dynamic income verification — that’s where our partnerships with Plaid and Argyle come in.

When an applicant links their payroll or bank account, the system can instantly verify their income. If they meet the property’s income-to-rent standard, they’re automatically advanced to the next step. That reduces conditional approvals and manual reviews, which directly impacts leasing velocity.

In short, leasing teams spend less time verifying and more time leasing.

How does this modularity help properties with different asset classes or operational styles?

Michael:
That’s one of the biggest advantages. A Class A high-rise in Miami might have very different screening criteria and risk tolerances than a workforce housing portfolio in Dallas.

With the new modular Applicant Experience, those differences are no longer a challenge; they’re built into the design. Operators can set different verification rules, fraud checks, or even partner integrations for each property type or market segment.

It’s about operational alignment. The platform molds to how you manage risk, rather than forcing you to adapt to it.

You mentioned value-added services being shown to renters during the workflow. Can you expand on that?

Michael:
Yes, that’s part of what we call the Built-In Partner ecosystem.

Applicants who qualify can be presented with relevant, value-added services directly within the application flow — things like lease guarantor, security deposit insurance, loss-of-employment protection, or renters insurance.

It’s a win-win. Renters get faster, simpler access to coverage, and properties reduce risk without slowing down the process. And because it’s built into the workflow, renters don’t have to leave the application or go to a third-party site — everything happens in one place.

That’s a big step toward making the applicant journey not just efficient, but truly connected.

Fraud prevention has always been a pillar of VERO. How does the Fraud Shield layer fit into this new applicant experience?

Michael:
VERO's Fraud Shield is the safety net that supports the entire process.

It’s our holistic fraud-prevention layer, combining AI, data, and behavioral intelligence to detect anomalies or fraudulent activity before they reach onsite teams. We use identity verification from Persona, income verification through Argyle and Plaid, and document forensics from Resistant AI, which can identify tampered or AI-generated financial documents in seconds.

All of this happens automatically as part of the applicant journey. Leasing teams are alerted only when something looks suspicious, which means they’re spending time on exceptions — not every file. It’s protection that scales with your operations.

How does this new experience affect the renter’s perception?

Michael:
That’s a really important question because leasing isn’t just an operational process; it’s a brand experience.

Applicants notice when things feel disjointed or repetitive. They notice when they’re asked to re-enter information they’ve already shared or upload the same documents twice.

The modular Applicant Experience eliminates that friction. It’s fast, intuitive, and transparent. Renters can see where they are in the process, understand what’s required, and complete everything from screening to coverage without leaving the workflow.

For operators, that translates into stronger conversion rates and happier residents.

What kind of feedback have you received from customers?

Michael:
It’s been overwhelmingly positive. One of the biggest things we hear is excitement around time savings and accuracy — fewer errors, fewer conditional approvals, and a noticeable drop in manual interventions.

But maybe most importantly, they’re saying the experience feels easier. When technology gets out of the way, leasing teams can focus on people again, and that’s when communities thrive.

Looking ahead, where does this go next?

Michael:
Great question, because this is just the beginning. The modular framework opens the door to even more automation and intelligence. As we connect this experience to VERO Copilot, our AI Property Analyst, leasing teams will receive real-time recommendations and insights during the application process, such as “this applicant meets all thresholds” or “this file shows income inconsistency.”

It’s not about replacing people; it’s about giving them better tools to make smarter, faster decisions.

Our vision is of leasing operations that are adaptive, transparent, and data-driven, where every decision is informed by intelligence and every applicant interaction builds trust.

Built for the Way You Operate

VERO’s modular Applicant Experience represents more than an upgrade.

It’s about flexibility that adapts to your properties, intelligence that learns from your data, and automation that keeps your teams focused on what matters most.

With enhanced navigation, dynamic income verification, and built-in fraud protection through our Fraud Shield layer, VERO gives multifamily operators a leasing experience that’s faster, safer, and more connected than ever before.

Because modern operations don’t just need software — they need systems that think.