SCREENING CRITERIA

Rental Application Process

The rental application needs to be filled out completely and accurately. Management will not process an incomplete application. Applicant must also pay for his/her consumer credit report, up to $25, or Management’s actual cost, whichever is less. If Applicant currently lives outside of Wisconsin, Applicant must pay for his/her background report, up to $25, or Management’s actual cost, whichever is less. Any material misstatement or omission made on the application, whether discovered during the rental process or after the applicant has already moved into the apartment, is grounds for the denial of the Applicant’s application and/or termination of an existing tenancy. All information provided on the application must be verifiable by a third party, and if the information cannot be verified, Applicant’s application will be denied.

Photo Identification

Every adult living in the apartment is required to complete a rental application and provide a current, valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to, a state driver’s license, state identification card, U.S. military identification, or a current passport.

Screening Services

Management uses the third-party tenant screening service below:

Rental History Reports

7900 West 78th Street, Ste. 400

Edina, MN 55439

(952) 545-3953

Lease Paperwork and Payments

 An Applicant approved for occupancy will not be entitled to move into an apartment until s/he signs all lease paperwork, pays the security deposit, and pays any rent amounts that must be paid at the time of signing. Management requires that all adult residents sign their lease and any other rental documents.

Occupancy

Generally, occupancy will be limited to two (2) persons per bedroom; however, specific factors may be considered to either increase or decrease that general rule. Factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Size of the unit
• Configuration of the unit
• Size of the bedroom(s)
• Number of bedroom(s) in the unit
• Number of persons in the family
• Other physical limitations of housing (i.e., the capacity of the septic, sewer, or other building systems)
• The family’s need for a larger unit as a reasonable accommodation
• State and local laws
  

Minimum Income

Household income must be equal to or greater than 2.5 times the amount of the monthly rent for the apartment. Income received from temporary employment or unemployment payments is not considered verifiable, reliable, predictable, and permanent and, therefore, will not be considered. Any Applicant who qualifies for a housing choice voucher, or similar tenant-based rental assistance, the value of the housing assistance voucher will be counted as income for determining if Applicant meets Management’s income requirements. If Applicant is applying to live in a tax credit property or a property with a similar bond program and requirements, where limits are placed on the maximum income for affordable units, if Applicant’s income exceeds the applicable income limits, Applicant’s application will be denied.

Housing History

Applicant must provide the name and last known telephone number for each landlord and/or property manager for each address that Applicant has resided at for the last three (3) years. Roommate references are not acceptable. Applicant’s failure to disclose an address at which the Applicant has lived within the last three (3) years will result in the denial of Applicant’s application. Rental references are one of the most important things that Management considers when screening an applicant. The refusal of a current or prior landlord or property manager to provide a reference or if a current or prior landlord or property manager provides a negative reference will result in the denial of Applicant’s application. If Applicant is a first-time renter or owned a home within the last three (3) years and, as a result, does not have a current or prior landlord or property manager, Applicant’s application will not be denied if Applicant meets all other screening criteria and is able and willing to pay an increased security deposit.

Eviction History

Applicant’s eviction history will be checked. If Applicant has received an eviction judgment for failing to pay rent within the past three (3) years, Applicant’s application will be denied. If Applicant has an eviction judgment based on a behavior violation or any other non-rent breach within the past six (6) years, Applicant’s application will be denied.  

Credit References and Bankruptcy

Bank and credit references will be checked. An adverse bank or credit reference, including, but not limited to, any unpaid housing or utility debt, multiple accounts in collection, and/or a high debt-to-income ratio, will result in the denial of Applicant’s application. If Applicant has a pending bankruptcy or has filed for bankruptcy within the last twelve (12) months, regardless of whether it was dismissed or not, Applicant’s application will be denied.  

Criminal/Public Record History

Management will screen for criminal/public record history. Management will not deny an application based on arrest records. Pending charges that have not yet but could result in a conviction that would be a basis for denial of Applicant’s application will result in a deferral of the application until the charges are dismissed, Applicant has been acquitted, or some other resolution occurs other than a conviction. If Applicant has been convicted of illegally manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance as defined in sec. 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) Applicant’s application will be denied. If Applicant is subject to a state lifetime sex offender registration program, Applicant’s application will be denied. If Applicant has not been otherwise disqualified based on the above factors and Applicant has been convicted of a felony or released from custody or supervision for a felony conviction, whichever occurred later, within the last 6 years, or of a misdemeanor within the last 3 years, and the crime shows a demonstrable risk to tenant safety and/or property, Applicant’s application may be denied after consideration of the nature and severity of the crime, the applicant’s age at the time of the conduct, and the amount of time that has passed since the criminal conduct occurred. Other factors may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicant shall provide any mitigating information or documentation that s/he would like to be considered regarding any criminal convictions.

Business Relationship

The relationship between Management and a Resident is a business relationship. Both parties are required to have a courteous and business-like attitude. Management reserves the right to deny an Applicant’s application if Applicant is verbally abusive, swears, is disrespectful, makes threats, is argumentative, or generally displays a negative and/or disrespectful attitude towards Management at any time during the rental process including but not limited to, the apartment showing, during the application process, or at the meeting to sign the rental documents. If Applicant’s behavior causes Management to believe that it would not be able to have a positive business relationship with Applicant, Applicant’s application will be denied. Any additional information that Management receives about Applicant during the application process, including, but not limited to, the apartment showing and/or lease signing process, that causes Management to believe that it would not be able to have a positive business relationship with Applicant, will result in the denial of Applicant’s application. If Applicant’s rental application is denied because of Management’s belief that it would not be able to have a positive business relationship with Applicant, any amounts paid by Applicant will be returned.

Additional Requirements and Deposits for Pets

Certain pets may be allowed to live with a Resident in select buildings. An additional pet deposit of $300 per pet (maximum of two [2] cats or one [1] dog per household), is required to be paid in addition to Applicant and his/her pet meeting Management’s rules and requirements for the keeping of a pet, including, but is not limited to, the payment of monthly pet rent The payment of the pet deposit and pet rent does not apply to any Resident what has a disability and has made, and been approved for, a reasonable accommodation request to keep an Assistance Animal.

Equal Opportunity/Fair Housing

Management is an equal opportunity housing provider. Management does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, marital status, religion, familial status, age, disability, victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, receipt of public assistance, as well as any other federal, state, or municipal protected classes. Management will make reasonable accommodations/modifications in its rules, policies, practices, and/or services when accommodations/modifications may be necessary to afford a disabled person an equal opportunity to use and enjoy our housing. If Applicant wishes to request a reasonable accommodation/modification, Applicant should contact Management at the address below.

Victim of Domestic Abuse/Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking

Management will comply with the provisions of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) and any applicable state and municipal laws. An Applicant will not be denied because the Applicant is or has been a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking if the Applicant otherwise meets Management’s screening criteria. If Applicant believes that their application was denied because of his or her status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and that his/her application would have otherwise been approved, Management will conduct a thorough investigation. If Applicant feels that they have not been treated fairly, in any way, or have been discriminated against during the application and/or rental process, s/he should contact Management at 612-874-4400. 

Notice of Denial and Appeal

If Applicant’s rental application is denied or subject to additional conditions, Management will provide a written notice, issued by Management or a third-party tenant screening/credit provider/residential screening company, that includes all notices and language required by both state and federal law, and describes the process to obtain a copy of Applicant’s consumer credit report. A notice of denial or adverse action will describe the process for any appeal.

Management’s Right to Change Policy

Management reserves the right to change its screening an application process at any time without prior notice, as may be necessary and/or desirable for Management and/or as might be advisable or recommended under applicable law.