Freelance income. Landlord approved.
Traditional rental applications are built for W-2 employees. Settl is built for how you actually work. Verify income from Stripe, PayPal, ACH transfers, and every client deposit in one score.
Get VerifiedSoft pull only · SSN never shared · Valid 30 days at any property
Why freelancer renting is harder
The obstacles 1099 workers face
Landlords ask for W-2s you don't have
W-2s don't exist for freelancers. Settl uses bank deposits to verify income. Every payment from every client counts.
Variable month-to-month income
One slow month can tank a traditional income check. Settl uses a 12-month average, giving landlords your true earning picture.
Tax returns show net income, not gross
After deductions, your tax return can look like you earn half of what you actually deposit. Settl shows gross deposit income. The number that actually matters for rent affordability.
No employer to call as a reference
Settl doesn't call employers. Income is verified from bank data. No references needed from clients.
How Settl works for you
Enter your income range
Estimated monthly gross income. Takes 2 minutes.
Connect your bank or income account
Plaid reads deposits. Stripe payouts, PayPal transfers, direct ACH from clients all count.
Verify identity
Government ID and 2-minute biometric check.
Share with landlords
Your Settl code shows verified income. No W-2 attached.
What Settl verifies
All income sources
Stripe, PayPal, ACH, wire transfers. Every deposit into your bank counts toward verified income.
12-month average
Smooth out slow months. Landlords see your true average. Not just your worst month.
No W-2 needed
Verification bypasses traditional employment documentation entirely.
Common questions
I don't have a W-2. Will Settl work for me?
Yes. Settl does not require a W-2. Income is verified directly from your bank account deposits. Any income that hits your bank account counts.
My income varies a lot. How does Settl present that to landlords?
Settl calculates a 12-month average from your verified deposits. Variable months are smoothed out, so one slow month doesn't define your profile.
I have income in multiple bank accounts and payment apps. Can I connect all of them?
Yes. You can connect multiple accounts via Plaid. All verified deposits are aggregated into one income figure.
My tax return shows much less income because of deductions. Will that hurt me?
No. Settl verifies gross deposits, not taxable income. Deductions and write-offs are irrelevant to your Settl verification.
How long does verification take?
Most applicants are verified in under 10 minutes. Bank connection is instant via Plaid; identity verification takes about 2 minutes.
Your income is real. Now prove it on your terms.
Get Settl Verification that works for freelancers. No W-2, no employer letter, no excuses.
Get Settl Verified PassportSoft pull only · SSN never shared · Valid 30 days at any property
Verify once. Apply everywhere.
2 min · Soft pull only