If Denny made $100k per year and his wife made $80k and they had "prestigous" careers/jobs then all that BS goes out the window. I've seen/had it happen.
Of course, it only applies to "regular" properties. If you're trying to rent/buy into some tony co-op in NYC then no matter HOW much money you got or you're a blood relative of George Washington AND George Bush, they ain't renting to you!
It sounds like this is the first flat he's ever let.