Q: I’m a retiree with no income but significant liquidity, and I’m wondering how a person without a traditional source of income can qualify for an apartment when landlords typically require renters to show proof that they earn 40 times the monthly rent. I have to believe that mine is not an uncommon situation. What are other ways I can prove to a prospective landlord that I can pay the rent?

A: Landlords have a huge amount of discretion when they choose tenants, so long as they do not discriminate. In a competitive rental market like this one, renters with nontraditional assets — including retirees, recent graduates, students and people who are self-employed — are at a disadvantage simply because the vetting process is more competitive.

Open houses are packed and bidding wars are rampant. Some prospective renters are even bribing brokers and landlords with Gucci discounts, tickets to shows and French cheese, according to Brick Underground. If your application shows nontraditional assets and income streams, a landlord might simply move down to the next name on the list.