Screening Criteria
Applicant
- All applicants 18 years and older shall submit a completed application that is legible, verifiable, and accurate.
- Demeanor and behavior of applicants during the application process will be considered. The landlord reserves the right to request the presence of all occupants for the application interview.
- Any information provided that is incomplete, inaccurate, or falsified shall be grounds for denial of the application or subsequent termination of tenancy upon determination of such falsified information.
- Any individual whose tenancy may constitute a direct threat to the health and safety of any individual, the complex or the property of others, will be denied.
- Government issued identification (regardless of expiration date) with a picture which allows for complete screening for criminal and credit qualifications as set forth in this document will be required. Other acceptable forms of identification include: Evidence of Social Security Number, valid Permanent Resident Card, Immigrant Visa, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), Non-Immigrant Visa, any non-government issued identification or combination of identifications that would permit a reasonable verification of identity.
- Any applicant currently using illegal drugs will be denied. If approved for residency and later illegal drug use is confirmed, eviction will result.
- Renter’s Insurance is required with policy limits of at least $100,000.00 (except when applicant legally qualifies for exemption).
Criminal Criteria
- Upon receipt of the rental application and screening fee, Owner/Agent will conduct a search of public records to determine whether the applicant or any proposed tenant has charges pending for, been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, any: drug-related crime that is presently illegal in this state; person crime; sex offense; crime involving financial fraud, including identity theft and forgery; or any other crime if the conduct for which the applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent.
- A single conviction, guilty plea, no contest plea or pending charge for any of the following may be grounds for denial of the rental application.
- Murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated vehicle manslaughter, class A felonies involving arson, rape, kidnapping, child sex crimes will disqualify you indefinitely.
- Class A felonies not included above for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, burglary, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred in the last 20 years.
- Class B felony for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, aggravated theft, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred in the last 15 years.
- Class C felony for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, burglary, theft, criminal mischief, coercion, animal abuse, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred in the last 10 years.
- Class A misdemeanor for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, criminal impersonation, violation of a restraining order, criminal mischief, stalking, disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of burglary tools, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred in the last 10 years.
- Class B misdemeanor for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, disorderly conduct, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred within the last 7 years.
- Class C misdemeanor for drug-related crimes that is presently illegal in this state, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, disorderly conduct, or any other crime if the conduct for which applicant was convicted or is charged is of a nature that would adversely affect property of the landlord or a tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the residents, the landlord or the landlord’s agent where the date of disposition, release or parole has occurred within the last 7 years.
Criminal Conviction Review
- Prior to denying an applicant’s application due to criminal conviction, Landlord shall engage in an individualized assessment of the applicant(s) conviction(s).
- Applicants may provide supporting documentation with their application to explain,
justify or negate the relevance of a past criminal conviction or pending charge
including, but not limited to:
- Letters from parole, probation, caseworkers, therapists, counselors, employers and/or teachers
- Certification of completion of treatment, trainings and/or rehabilitation programs.
- Proof of employment.
- Statement from applicant.
- Landlord shall consider the aforementioned evidence and any mitigating factors including the facts or circumstances surrounding the conviction, age of the applicant at time of conviction, amount of time since conviction, release from incarceration, probation or parole, rental history, evidence of rehabilitation efforts, nature of crime(s) committed and number of crimes committed. Landlord may ask for additional information in aid of determination.
- Landlord shall inform the applicant of any results or determinations of the appeal within two weeks of determination.
- Landlord shall hold the unit for a reasonable amount of time after receipt of complete appeal from Tenant while Landlord makes a determination (unless the unit has already been promised to another applicant previously).
- Applicants are welcome to provide supplemental evidence to mitigate potentially negative screening result.
Income *
- Applicant(s) needs demonstrate a monthly gross income of no less than 2.5 times the amount of the Rent for the Dwelling Unit when the monthly Rent amount is below the maximum monthly rent for a household earning less than 80 percent of the median household as published annually by the Portland Housing Bureau.
- Applicant(s) needs demonstrate a monthly gross income of no less than 2 times the amount of the Rent for the Dwelling Unit when the monthly Rent amount is at or above the maximum of the median household income as published by the Portland Housing Bureau as described above.
- Income sources may include wages, rent assistance (non-governmental) and monetary public benefits.
* These sections do not apply to Non Applicant Tenants.
Debts **
- Debt to income ratio will be considered.
- Negative or adverse debt showing on consumer credit report will be considered.
- Three or more unpaid collections (not related to medical or student loan expense) will be considered.
- Any monies owed directly or through a collection agency to another Apartment complex, Property Management Company, or Landlord may result in denial of application.
** These sections do not apply to Non Applicant Tenants.
Rental History ***
- Applicant must provide verifiable proof of 12 months contractual rental history or home ownership. ****
- 12 month verifiable contractual rental history or home ownership must be within 18 months of application being submitted.
- Must have five (5) years eviction free history (evictions that were dismissed or resulted in a judgement in favor of the applicant will not be considered).
- No more than two 72 hour notices within one year.
- No more than two dishonored checks within one year.
- No more than three late payments within one year.
- Rental history reflecting past due, unpaid rent or damages may result in denial of application.
*** These sections exclude the following that accrued on or after April 1, 2020, and before March 2022: unpaid rent, including rent reflected in judgements or referrals of debt to a collection agency, and general eviction judgements entered on claims.
**** First time renters or applicants otherwise lacking 12 months of contractual rental history or home ownership may include a qualified and approved co-signer to satisfy this criteria.
Occupancy Policy
- Occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms in a unit. Two persons are allowed per bedroom. Applicants may appeal this policy, which will be reviewed on a case by case basis with management.
If an applicant fails to meet these criteria one of the following may occur:
- Application may be denied,
- additional security deposit may be required,
- the requirement of a co-signer who will also be required to meet the screening criteria.
Evaluation process: Upon receipt of a completed application, we compare what is provided with the screening criteria and the application is either approved or denied in compliance with all local, state and federal laws. Applicants have 30 days to appeal denied applications during which time they may correct, refute or explain any negative information forming the basis for a denial. Applicants are prequalified for any rental opportunities at our properties for three months after approval and no screening fees will be charged for three months following that date.