RENTAL APPLICATION POLICY & PROCEDURES

Thank you for your interest in one of our rental properties. The information below provides a detailed overview of the qualifications we use to evaluate each applicant. Our goal is to ensure a fair, consistent, and legally compliant screening process in accordance with North Carolina law, the federal Fair Housing Act, and HUD guidelines.

Application Process

• Applications are processed in the order they are received.
• Processing time: approximately 2-3 business days, depending on third-party response times.
• Each person 18 years or older who will reside in the home must submit a separate application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
• Applicants must view the property in person prior to approval.
• All required documentation must be completed via DocuSign before an application can be considered.

Identification

• Valid identification is required: SSN, ITIN, or other government-issued ID.
• A physical Social Security card is not required.
• Applicants without a U.S. credit history may provide a credit report or rental history from their home country.

Occupancy Standards

• HUD guidelines apply: 2 persons per bedroom + 1 additional occupant.

Income Requirements

• Applicants must show a net monthly income of at least 3× the rent.
• Acceptable documentation:
  • 30 days of pay stubs
  • Employer offer letter (start date within 30 days, signed, and verifiable)
  • 3 months of bank statements or last year’s tax return + YTD profit/loss (for self-employed)
• Remote work or relocation must be verified in writing by employer.
• Guarantors may be considered if they meet all qualifications.
• Child support, alimony, and other lawful income sources must be verifiable.
• Unemployment is not considered income.
• Rental assistance, vouchers, and student aid may not be accepted unless required by local ordinance or contractual participation. If not accepted, these cannot be applied toward income requirements.

Credit Requirements

• Minimum credit score: 600.
• Bankruptcies must be discharged.
• Credit reports are evaluated for:
  • Negative payment history
  • High debt or collections
  • Unpaid utilities
• No credit history may require a guarantor.
• Decisions are made based on the report received at the time of screening.

Rental History

• At least 1 year of verifiable rental history with a third-party landlord or proof of homeownership.
• Roommates, family, or friends do not qualify as landlord references.
• Grounds for denial include:
  • Two or more late rent/mortgage payments within a 12-month period
  • Past due balances or unpaid rent
  • Collections related to prior rentals
  • Documented lease violations
  • Evictions within the last 2 years.
• Breaking a current lease may also lead to denial.

Criminal History

Criminal history is reviewed on an individualized basis in compliance with HUD guidance:

• Applicants on the lifetime sex offender registry may be denied.
• Violent felony convictions or felony drug manufacturing/distribution within the last 7 years may result in denial.
• Other felony convictions must generally be older than 5 years.
• Applicants with outstanding warrants or pending violent criminal cases may be denied.
• Applicants may provide mitigating information for management review.

Behavior Standards

• All communication must remain professional and directed to management staff.
• Rude, disruptive, threatening, or harassing behavior toward staff, clients, residents, or vendors will result in denial.

Pets and Animals

• Applications for pets are processed through a third-party service (Paw/FIDO score).
• Non-refundable pet fees and monthly pet rent are based on the scoring system.
• Requests for removal of pets during the application process require proper documentation.
• Assistance and Service animals are handled in compliance with Fair Housing law.

Possible Reasons for Declined Application

Applications may be declined for the following reasons:

• Submission of falsified documents.
• Claiming personal property is already in a moving truck.
• Lack of verifiable rental history.
• Two or more late rent/mortgage payments, unpaid rent, lease violations, or eviction history.
• Breaking a current lease.
• Eviction filing or judgment within the last 2 years.
• Failure to meet income requirements.
• Rental assistance or vouchers not accepted under NC law (unless required by local ordinance or contract).
• Out-of-area income not properly verified.
• Unpaid utilities, child support, or other major debts.
• Negative or unverifiable landlord references.
• Sole reliance on unemployment benefits.
• Credit score below 600, open bankruptcies, or unresolved derogatory accounts.

Move-In Requirements

• Approved applicants must provide full move-in funds and sign a lease within 24 hours of approval.
• Move-in funds include:
  • Refundable security deposit
  • Non-refundable administrative fee
  • Non-refundable pet fee (if applicable)
  • First month’s rent (or prorated rent) – Keep in mind, we collect the first full month rent and pro rate in the 2nd month, if applicable.
• Payments are made online.
• Leases are signed electronically.
• A move-in appointment is required prior to the scheduled move-in date.

Important Notes

• Subleasing is not permitted.
• Residential properties cannot be leased to LLCs or business entities.
• Smoking of any kind is prohibited in, on, or around all properties. (E-cigarettes, Vapor devices, Hookah, and Marijuana, tobacco products.)
• Applications with falsified or unverifiable information will be denied.
• All application decisions are final.