MITS Data Models
NMHC launched the Multifamily Information Transaction Standards (MITS) initiative to improve operating efficiencies for rental housing by developing data models and leveraging data exchange technologies. Through MITS, data transmission among software systems, both within and between organizations, is facilitated through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) to allow systems to communicate in key operational areas.
RETTC is now working to modernize and update MITS by bringing together rental housing providers and suppliers to collaboratively identify opportunities for operational efficiency and transparency that benefit renters and housing affordability.
MITS is freely available for download and its use is completely voluntary.
LATEST NEWS
MITS Activity Update: 5.1 Released, 6.0 Modernization Underway
October 2026
Rundown
MITS activity in 2026 has followed two parallel tracks: incremental updates to the 5.0 data model to the latest version 5.1 schema and a longer-term modernization program for MITS 6.0.
MITS 5.1, released October 1, 2026, focuses on fee transparency and display. The update adds General and Waiver classes, along with Disclaimers and Specials on ChargeOfferItem. Disclaimers and Specials support multiple text entries, with a 5,000-character limit per item, and the General class can also carry property-level disclaimers and specials. A new Third-Party Provider Boolean shows whether a charge is paid to the property or to a third party, which supports consumer-facing fee disclosure requirements. View MITS 5.1.
Relevance
Fee transparency rules and disclosure requirements are expanding across jurisdictions. Housing providers, ILSs, and technology partners need a shared, consistent way to communicate fees, disclaimers, and specials. Standardized data fields reduce the cost of compliance, help listings display accurately across platforms, and give renters clearer information.
New disclosure requirements are also emerging beyond fees. California's requirements for digitally altered images show how quickly marketing data needs can change, and why the standard needs a faster way to respond.
Current Activity
The MITS Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is actively developing several items:
- Fee and pricing logic: This work covers expanded percentage-of calculations, broader amount and data-type support, first month's rent, and proration logic.
- Digitally altered images: MITS has developed a proposed update for disclosing digitally altered images. It responds to emerging requirements in California and supports broader industry transparency efforts. The proposed fields include an alteration indicator, an optional source for the original image, a display label, and a disclaimer.
- Publishing and GitHub: The TAG now uses GitHub as the working system for schema changes, review, version history, and issue tracking. MITS has also moved to an incremental release approach. Changes move through GitHub pull requests and are released once consensus is reached, instead of waiting for a large bundled release.
- Website updates: The RETTC MITS Framework webpage has been reorganized. MITS 5.0 now sits under Prior Versions, and Current Data Models is a single ZIP download titled "MITS Data Model." The newest MITS Property Marketing/ILS 5.1 files can also be downloaded on their own. View MITS 5.1.
What's Next
MITS 6.0 modernization began this summer with Cherre as the technical partner. The project will move MITS from an XML-centered standard to a graph/ontology model. XML and JSON outputs will remain available for backward compatibility. The initial 6.0 scope centers on Property Marketing/ILS and Core. View all current MITS models.
A first look at the modernized MITS 6.0 is expected later this year. To receive MITS updates or express general interest in the standard, sign up via the form on this page.
Previous Updates
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11/2025 - 12/2025
Working Group Activity Updates – 2025 MITS Working Group
November – December 2025: MITS Working Group Update
In November, the MITS Working Group met in person at the RETTC OPTECH 2025 Conference in Las Vegas. MITS also held a Fee Transparency Workshop on how following the MITS 5.0 Data Model can enable the transmission of the total cost of renting a home—including fees—to prospective and current residents.
A draft of our 2026 mission statement was presented to the working group:
Draft Mission: “Design and maintain a multifamily industry ontology (data model of common definitions and semantic layer of relationships between objects and systems) that supports consistent understanding of information and seamless integrations between systems as the industry embarks on adopting AI.
A multifamily data model supports technology platforms across the industry with the goal to improve pricing transparency, satisfaction, and affordability for prospects and residents and enhance operational efficiencies for housing providers.”On December 11th a RETTC OnAir – Fee Transparency Webinar was held for RETTC members. You can view the webinar recording here.
There is no MITS Working Group meeting planned for December due to the Holidays. We will reconvene in January where we will work on our 2026 goals.
To stay updated on our progress, please enter your email in the form.
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11/10/2025
Working Group Activity Updates – 2025 MITS Working Group
Nov. 10, 2025
August – October 2025: MITS Working Group Update
In recent months, while many of the major platform suppliers in the industry began to convert their systems to support MITS 5.0, the MITS Technical Sub-Group served as a key forum for industry leaders and practitioners to convene and discuss MITS. In addition to the monthly Working Group meeting, the Technical Sub-Group met on a weekly basis and plans to continue doing so for the foreseeable future as the industry migrates to MITS 5.0 in support of fee transparency. RETTC and the MITS Working Group are laying a foundation for transparency and seamless digital experiences across the multifamily resident lifecycle.
The The Working Group also approved a common definition for the Total Monthly Leasing Price (TMLP) and Minimum Viable Attributes (MVA). As previously described, TMLP is the amount displayed to a prospective renter as their expected recurring monthly price/cost. MVA is the set of fields and attributes within a MITS conforming file that must be included for it to be properly processed. MITS 5.0 expanded the capabilities and options for fully transmitting all fee and charge data by making more data fields available for use, some of which are optional depending on the property or specific situation. MVA helps to ensure that fields necessary to process fee and charge data properly are included. Both definitions can be found in the MITS 5.0 Supporting Documentation library.As RETTC continues to support the migration to MITS 5.0 across rental housing, the Working Group will be discussing plans for how to continue to advance the MITS data model in the months and years ahead.
To stay updated on our progress, please enter your email in the form below.
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7/5/2025
Working Group Activity Updates – 2025 MITS Working Group
July 2025
2025 MITS Working Group Update
As work continues to optimize the MITS 5.0 data model updates, the MITS Working Group and its two subgroups made significant progress.
The MITS Technical Subgroup developed and presented a definition of Total Monthly Leasing Price (TMLP) to ensure support of proper display of fees a renter may incur throughout the rental journey. The MITS Working Group unanimously approved the definition:TMLP is the amount displayed to the consumer as their expected recurring monthly price/cost
TMLP Components:
In general terms: Base Rent w/all lease term duration options transmitted (if no lease term duration options transmitted, assume 12-month term) + Monthly Mandatory Fees.
Excluded:i. optional fees
ii. mandatory fees not charged monthly
iii. variable fees without explicit valuesThe MITS Policy Tracking Subgroup continued its work to understand and navigate the growing and complex landscape of state and local fee regulations that have been proposed and/or enacted across the nation to aide in compliance. RETTC has retained Jay Harris, RETTC Steering Committee Member & Partner at HudsonCook, to provide regular tracking and intelligence for members as they work to stay in compliance with existing and emerging fee transparency efforts. The Subgroup and full MITS Working Group will work to provide these and additional resources for RETTC members in the near future.
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6/5/2025
Working Group Activity Updates – 2025 MITS Working Group
June 2025
The 2025 MITS Working Group Formed!
As part of the RETTC Communities launch, the MITS Working Group officially moved under the RETTC Enterprise Technology and Business Intelligence Committee and will continue its work as a working group of the committee.
The first 2025 MITS Working Group meeting was held on June 12th. The MITS Working Group determined that the priority for the working group will be to continue to focus on the MITS 5.0 data model and documentation and education helping to enable greater insight into the total cost of renting a home.
While the industry works on implementing the MITS 5.0 Data Model, the working group formed two subgroups to help further accelerate adoption: The MITS Technical Subgroup and the MITS Policy Tracking Subgroup.
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4/2/2025
Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Mapping Implementation Tool Released
April 2, 2025
The Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC) today announced the release of a MITS Mapping Implementation Tool, aimed at helping housing providers and technology partners adopt and implement the new charge classifications in the MITS 5.0 data model to enhance fee transparency.
The revised data model includes updated fee classifications that support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home—including fees—to prospective and current residents. The data model updates were developed in collaboration with leading technology partners and housing providers as part of RETTC’s MITS Working Group to simplify operations, reduce errors, and improve resident experiences. For housing providers, this means greater efficiency and alignment across platforms. For renters, it means increased clarity and confidence when choosing their next home.
The updates to MITS are well-placed to serve as a notable example of the ways housing providers and technology partners are working to streamline operations, lower costs, improve transparency and ultimately benefit renters.
MITS is freely available for download and its use is completely voluntary.
If you have any questions, please email MITS@rettc.org. -
1/10/2025
Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 is released today!
January 10, 2025
The Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC) today announces that the MITS Working Group unanimously approved updates to the Multifamily Information Transaction Standards (MITS) to modernize the existing data models to include rental fee transparency for the benefit of renters, housing providers, and tech partners. The 5.0 version can be found under the Approved Data Models section.
Be sure to join RETTC for a webinar on January 22, 2025, for RETTC On Air: Modernizing the MITS Data Model to Enhance Transparency in Rental Housing. We’ll present how the data model was developed, what the new data model contains, and how to implement it.MITS is freely available for download and its use is completely voluntary.
If you have any questions, please email MITS@rettc.org. -
12/26/2024
The MITS Property-Marketing / ILS Version 5.0 to Support Transparency in Rental Housing Costs
Update Approved!
December 26, 2024
RETTC’s MITS Working Group has voted to approve the MITS Property-Marketing/ILS version 5.0.
The voting period closed on December 20, 2024 and the updates to the data model were unanimously approved by the voting members. This updated data model includes updated fee classifications in the data model that will support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home — including fees — to prospective and current residents.
We’re working to publish the updated data model in early January 2025.
Be sure to join RETTC for a webinar on January 22, 2025, for RETTC On Air: Modernizing the MITS Data Model to Enhance Transparency in Rental Housing. We’ll present how the data model was developed, what the new data model contains, and how to implement it.If you have any questions, please email MITS@rettc.org. -
12/13/2024
Voting Now Open: MITS Property Marketing / ILS Version Update 5.0 to Support Transparency in Rental Housing Costs
December 13, 2024
Today, RETTC announced that voting has now been opened to approve MITS Property Marketing / ILS Version Update 5.0. The MITS Working Group collected over one dozen comments during the public review period, which closed on December 4, 2024, and worked to address and accommodate feedback from housing and technology providers in the updated data model.
Firms represented on the MITS Working Group now have the ability to review the final, proposed data model updates and vote to approve it until December 20, 2024. Once finalized, RETTC will announce the results of the vote and, if approved, move to release Version 5.0 soon after.
The revised data model includes updated fee classifications that support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home - including fees - to prospective and current residents. These updates, developed in collaboration with leading technology partners and housing providers as part of RETTC’s MITS Working Group, aim to simplify operations, reduce errors, and improve resident experiences. For housing providers, this means greater efficiency and alignment across platforms. For renters, it means increased clarity and confidence when choosing their next home.
The updates to MITS are well-placed to serve as a notable example of the ways housing providers and technology partners are working to streamline operations, lower costs, improve transparency and ultimately benefit renters.
Be sure to join us on January 22, 2025, as RETTC will host a webinar to present how the data model was developed, what it contains, and how to take advantage of the updates.
To learn more about the proposed updates and review additional technical background, please visit:
1. Final Proposed Data Model (PDF).
2. Technical documents and testing scenarios. (Right click on the links below and select "save link as" to download the files using Chrome or Firefox.)
a. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Proposed Schema (XSD)
b. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Sample File (XML)
c. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Testing Scenarios (XLSX)
If you have any questions, please contact us at MITS@rettc.org.
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11/13/2024
The DRAFT MITS Marketing / ILS Version Update is released!
November 13, 2024
We officially enter the public review and comment phase of the MITS Marketing / ILS update from version 4.1 to version 5.0.
The public review and comment period is open from November 13th until December 4th, 2024.
Once the 3-week public review and comment period is complete, the feedback will be reviewed for incorporation to the data models. Release of the final version is anticipated as early as mid-December but is contingent on input and feedback being addressed.
This draft version includes updated fee classifications and data model that support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home - including fees - to prospective and current residents.
Instructions for how to review the draft data model and provide feedback:
1. Familiarize yourself with the Proposed Data Model.
2. Download and review the technical documents and testing scenarios. (Right click on the links below and select "save link as" to download the files using Chrome or Firefox.)
a. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Draft Schema (XSD)
b. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Draft Sample File (XML)
c. Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0 Draft Testing Scenarios (XLSX)
3. Please provide your feedback by close of business December 4th.
If you have any questions or comments unrelated to the draft data model, please email us at MITS@rettc.org.
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10/16/2024
Working Group Activity Updates – Property-Marketing/ILS version 5 DRAFT
October 16, 2024
A RETTC working group of rental housing providers, internet listing service (ILS) providers, property management software (PMS) providers, and other industry stakeholders has convened. The group is reviewing MITS Property – Marketing/ILS Version 4.1 to identify opportunities to broaden the data model’s scope related to rental housing fees. The review will propose updates to the model that support transparency in communicating the total cost of renting a home—including fees—to prospective and current residents.
To stay updated on our progress and provide feedback during the review and comment period planned for November, please bookmark and return to this page. To join our interest list and receive notification of the review and comment period directly to your inbox, please send an email request to MITS@rettc.org.
Looking for fee transparency resources or guidance?
MITS Implementation Mapping Tool
Map your transaction/charge codes to the corresponding new Charge Classifications in the MITS 5.0 data model. This tool is powered by Cherre.
By clicking here, you will leave RETTC.org and be redirected to Cherre.com for access to the MITS Implementation Mapping Tool.
Approved MITS Data Models
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Latest Version 5.1 Data Models
Property-Marketing/ILS version 5.1 -
Version 5.0 Data Models
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Current Data Models
All current MITS models
Accounts Payable 4.0
- Accounts Payable 4.0 (xsd)
- Accounts Payable Data Dictionary 4.0 (xls)
Download Accounts Payable 4.0
Collections Version 3.0
- Collections Schema Version 3.0 (xsd)
Download Collections Version 3.0
Core Data 4.0
- Core Data 4.0
Download Core Data 4.0
Lead Management 4.0
- Lead Management Schema Version 4.0 (xsd)
- Lead Management 4.0 Data Dictionary (xls)
- Lead Management 4.0 Supplemental Documentation (html)
- Lead Management 4.0.1 Schema (xsd)
Download Lead Management 4.0
Lease/Application 3.0
- Lease/Application Standard (xsd)
Download Lease Applications 3.0
Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 (xsd)
Download Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 - Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 Data Dictionary (xls)
Download Data Dictionary - Supporting Documentation:
- MITS Fee Transparency - Final Proposed Data Model (pdf)
- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 Diagram (png)
- Property Marketing/ILS-5.0 Test - Full (xml)
- Property Marketing/ILS-5.0 Test - Partial (xml)
- Property Marketing/ILS-5.0 Testing-Scenarios (xls)
Download Supporting Documents
Resident Screening 3.0
- Resident Screening Schema Version 3.0 (pdf)
- Resident Screening Data Dictionary Version 3.0 (xls)
- Resident Screening 3.0 (xsd)
Download Resident Screening 3.0
Resident Transactions 3.0
- Resident Transactions Schema Version 3.0 (xsd)
- Resident Transactions Schema Version 3.0 (pdf)
- Resident Transactions Data Dictionary Version 3.0 (xls)
Download Resident Transactions 3.0
Custom Records Extension Component (CREC) Implementation
- A Custom Records Extension Component (CREC) has been added to all MITS Standards to allow firms to define and exchange custom data that is not currently defined within a particular schema through the use of name/value pairs. Download the CREC Summary
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Prior Versions
Core Data Version 3.0
- Core Data Schema Version 3.0 (xsd)
- Core Data Schema Version 3.0 (pdf)
- Core Data Dictionary 3.0 (xls)
- Core Data 3.0 Release Summary (pdf)
- Core Data 3.0 Schema (Revised as of Sept. 2012)
Download Core Data Version 3.0
Core Data 2.0
- Core Data 2.0 Schema (xsd)
- Core Data 2.0 Schema (pdf)
- Core Data 2.0 Data Dictionary (pdf)
- Core Data 2.0 Full Documentation (pdf)
Download Core Data 2.0
Lead Management 3.0
- Lead Management Schema Version 3.0 (xsd)
- Lead Management Schema Version 3.0 (pdf)
- Lead Management Data Dictionary Version 3.0 (xls)
Download Lead Management 3.0
Lead Management 2.0
- Lead Management Schema Version 2.0 (xsd)
- Lead Management Schema Version 2.0 (pdf)
Download Lead Management 2.0
Property-Marketing/ILS 5.0- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 (XSD)
- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 Data Dictionary
- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 Supporting Documentation
- Property Marketing/ILS 5.0 - ALL
Property-Marketing/ILS 4.1- Property-Marketing/ILS 4.1 Schema (xsd)
- Property-Marketing/ILS 4.1 Supplemental (html)
Download Property Marketing ILS 4.1
Property-Marketing/ILS 4.0- Property Marketing/ILS 4.0 (xsd)
Download Property Marketing/ILS 4.0
Property-Marketing 3.0- Property-Marketing Schema Version 3.0 (xsd)
- Property-Marketing Schema Version 3.0 (pdf)
- Property-Marketing Data Dictionary Version 3.0 (xls)
Download Property-Marketing 3.0
Property-Marketing 2.0- Property-Marketing Schema Version 2.0 (xsd)
- Property-Marketing Schema Version 2.0 (pdf)
- Property-Marketing Data Dictionary Version 2.0 (xls)
Download Property-Marketing 2.0
Resident Transactions 2.0 (xsd)
- Resident Transactions 2.0 Schema (pdf)
- Resident Transactions Data Dictionary 2.0 (xls)
Download Resident Transactions 2.0 (xsd)
Resident Screening 2.0
- Resident Screening Schema Version 2.0 (xsd)
- Resident Screening Schema Version 2.0 (pdf)
- Resident Screening Data Dictionary Version 2.0 (xls)
Download Resident Screening 2.0
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XSLT Compatibility Stylesheets and Supporting Documentation
XSLT Version Compatibility: ILS 1.5-2.0
- 2.0 Full Sample
- 2.0 Schema
- 1.5-2.0 Data Mapping
- 2.0-1.5 Data Mapping
- 1.5-2.0 (mfd)
- 1.5-2.0 Helper Functions File (xlst)
Download XSLT Version Compatibility: ILS 1.5-2.0
XSLT Version Compatibility: ILS 2.0-3.0
- Mapping File - Property Marketing/ILS 2.0-3.0
- Property Marketing/ILS 2.0-3.0 (html)
- 2.0 Schema
- 3.0 Schema
- Mapping File - Property Marketing/ILS 3.0-2.0)
Download XSLT Version Compatibility: ILS 2.0-3.0
XSLT Version Compatibility: Resident Screening 2.0-3.0
- 2.0-3.0 Mapping
- Resident Screening 2.0
- 2.0 Sample
- Resident Screening 3.0
- 3.0 Sample
- Core Data 2.0
- Core Data 3.0
Download XSLT Version Compatibility: Resident Screening 2.0-3.0
XSLT Version Compatibility: Resident Transactions 2.0-3.0
- 2.0-3.0 Data Mapping
- Resident Transactions 2.0
- Resident Transactions 3.0
- Core Data 3.0
- Core Data 2.0
Download XSLT Version Compatibility: Resident Transactions 2.0-3.0
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