Rental Requirements

Once we help you find a place where you want to live, you'll probably be asked to fill out a rental application. The application will normally ask for your current and past addresses, current and past employment, credit references, criminal history and other information the property owner or manager needs to make sure that you can afford to pay the rent and that you don't pose any risks to the property or the other residents.  While policies may vary from community to community, most apartment owners require the following:  

• In most cases, you will be charged an application fee to cover the cost of processing your application: running credit checks, verifying rental histories, etc.  The cost of an the application fee may range anywhere from $25 - $85 and is non-refundable.  Each person over the age of 18, who will reside in the apartment, is required to complete a rental application and pay a separate application fee.  Apartment owners typically use the following criteria for processing an application: 
• You must be 18 years of age or legally emancipated.
• Monthly household income (pre-tax) must equal to at least three times the monthly rent of the unit.
• Must have verifiable, satisfactory rental history. Owners may look at the following to define satisfactory rental history; at least one year of rental history, the number of payments made on time, if the lease agreement was fulfilled and all obligations were met, or if there were any lease violations (including criminal violations) during your residency. Most communities will work with first time renters if all of the other requirements for rental are met. Be sure to let us know if this is your first apartment or if you may have "blemishes" on your rental or credit history, well find out which properties will work with your circumstances.
• Must have good credit history.
• Verifiable employment. Most communities will accept a copy of your offer letter as proof of your employment. Others may require a school transcript, which proves you are a student. 

If you have special circumstances, some communities may require additional deposits, advance payment of first and last months rent, validation of income from other sources or a co-signer / guarantor of lease.

• You may also be asked to pay an application deposit. This deposit does not become a part of your security deposit until your application is approved and the lease is signed by both parties. If your application is not approved, the deposit is refundable in most cases. However, depending on the application you fill out, the deposit may not be refunded if you are accepted but fail to move in, you fail to tell the truth on your application, or for certain other reasons.  Deposits vary, but typically average $150 for a one bedroom, $250 for a two bedroom and $350 for a three bedroom apartment. 

• Usually, the property manager will notify you once you've been approved.  If you have not heard from the property at the end of seven days after you've completed your rental application and given the property an application deposit, you can legally assume you've been rejected and are entitled to a return of any application deposit. (Your application fee is not refundable.) The seven-day timeframe is spelled out in state law. If the seventh day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the property owner has until the end of the next business day to notify you of acceptance.

Please remember, these are only general guidelines for renting.  Its important to let us know if there is anything that might affect your ability to rent an apartment.  Well be sure to discuss it with the apartment owners before you apply, saving you time and money!