TENANT SELECTION CRITERIA

Welcome to ARG!

Before you apply to lease a home in our portfolio, please review the following qualifications and screening procedures. A non-refundable Application Fee of $55.00 per application will be due at the time the application is submitted. Applications are processed daily, excluding weekends and holiday.

  • Commitment to Equal Housing

    ARG and it's agents are committed to providing equal housing opportunities to all rental applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or other protected status.  


    In an effort to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and local laws, rental applications are evaluated strictly in accordance with ARG rental policies and criteria. 


  • Occupancy Guidelines

    The occupancy standard per home is two (2) persons per bedroom, plus one (1); subject to local laws.  

  • Application

    This is an application to rent only and does not guarantee that applicant will be offered the property. Landlord may accept more than one application for the property and, using their sole and exclusive discretion, select the first qualified applicant. 


    All individuals 18 years of age or older residing in the home are required to complete an application, undergo the screening process, and provide the necessary documentation, valid driver's license or other approved US government issued photo identification, and application fee.  Except as otherwise prohibited by applicable law, non-U.S. citzen Applicants may be required to present additional documentation evidencing Applicant's right to live int he Unitd States through the end of the lease term.  Applicants must physically reside in the property for which they are applying and must be a leaseholder unless a qualified dependent.


     A Social Security or ITIN number is required for each applicant. Dependents, aged 18 or older, may be added as an Additional Occupant upon approval of the required screenings. These requirements may also apply to any changes to the leaseholders during the term of the lease.   


    Applications are reviewed following established screening criteria and using Experian, a third-party screening provider, for credit, rental, and criminal background checks.  


    Verbal representations are non-binding. 


    The following may result in immediate denial of an application:


    False, incorrect, or misleading information.


    Threatening or abusive behavior towards an ARG employee, agent, or contractor. 

  • Income

    The combined, verifiable gross household income must meet or exceed three (3) times the total monthly rent amount.  All income must be verified electronically via online banking utilizing a third-party vendor, PayScore, which is 100% compliant with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. 


     Acceptable documents include:


    a. Regular Forms of Employment:

    • Ninety days (90) current employer pay stubs or direct deposit statements for regular forms of employment may be required. Pay stubs must be legible and include employer name, address and phone, applicant name, pay dates, YTD earnings and tax deductions.
    • Accepted Offer Letter or Employment Contract signed by the appropriate Human Resources or Company officer with his/her contact information including the income and employment start date within 30 days of lease start date. 
    • Commission, overtime, tips, or bonus' are not used to calculate income unless guaranteed and verifiable. 

    b.  Self-Employed/Independent Contractor:

    • Current year signed tax return and proof of current business in operation for those self-employed. 
    • Previous months' Financial Statement prepared and signed by a Certified Professional Accountant, tax accountant, or other certified banking representative. 
    • Calculations will be based on Net Earnings.

    c. Other Forms of Income:

    • Award letters for government payments including disability or social security.
    • Filed Court Orders for child or spousal support.
    • Statements of income or 1099's for those in retirement.

    d. No Source of Income:

    • The most recent bank statement or trust fund statement with a minimum average ending balance of three (3) times the total rent due for the entire lease term can be accepted.  

  • Rental History

    Some applications will necessitate verifiable residence history for the last 2 consecutive years.  On all applications, addresses indicated on the screening report must match residences listed on the rental application.  Applications will automatically be denied for current outstanding debt or eviction. 

  • Credit History

    Credit score should be at least 600, as indicated on the credit screening provided using the FICO 2 rating system or substantially similar rating system. Applicants may be denied if a score cannot be obtained. Applicants with collections to a housing provider will result in a denial. Bankruptcy history (discharged) may be acceptable if good credit has been reestablished and is reflected for the most recent 12 months. Credit blocks need to be removed before applying. Failure to do so could result in additional application fees.

  • Criminal History

    A criminal background check will be conducted for each applicant and occupant age 18 years and older. The applicant may be rejected for any of the following reported criminal related reasons that have occurred:


    a. All Violent Crimes.


    b. Felony convictions up to seven (7) years prior to the application date (subject to local laws/requirements).


    c. The manufacturing or distribution of illegal drugs.


    d. Any terrorist related conviction.


    e. Any sex crime related conviction.


    f. Active status on probation or parole resulting from any of the above.

  • Pets

    The maximum number of pets per household, is two. All tenants must register their household pet or request a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal by visiting https://arg.petscreening.com prior to approval of any application.  Domestic cats and dogs only, unless an approved assistance animal.  Incomplete pet profiles will not be accepted and will delay the processing of your application. 


    Pets that are provided a reduced FIDO score due to breed, may be permitted with evidence of Renter’s Insurance with Bite Policy coverage.  Tenants will be required to sign a separate Pet Addendum in addition to paying a one-time, non-refundable pet premium fee of $250 for the first pet and $100 for an additional pet, as well as pet rent of $25.00 per pet, per month.  



    Assistance/Service Animals with an approved accommodation, will be exempt from any rent, fees, deposits, breed restrictions and insurance requirements. 


    All animals must follow local rules and regulations including, but not limited to, proof of current vaccinations and licensing, where applicable. 

Applicants will be automatically denied for providing false or fraudulent information and further applications will not be reviewed. Applications not completed by the Applicant, within 5 days, will be cancelled and new application must be submitted. Groups of more than one applicant will not be considered until the applications from all members of the group are received in full. The application is to rent only and does not guarantee that the Applicant will be offered the home. Landlord may accept more than one application for the home and, using their sole and exclusive direction, select the first qualified applicant. An executed lease and all deposits must be paid to remove a home from the market, within 24 hours of receipt, with the lease starting within 14 days of the home availability date. If an applicant is approved and chooses to cancel their application, the security deposit is non-refundable. Any changes made by the Applicant after delivery of security deposit will incur a $150 redraw fee. All executed leases will incur a one-time $150 non-refundable Administrative Fee. 


Guarantors may be accepted if an applicant does not satisfy the credit score criteria or income requirements. Guarantors will not be accepted in lieu of negative background findings nor can they be used due to an open bankruptcy or negative rental history.  The Guarantor’s verifiable income must be equal to at least four (4) times the monthly rent, have a minimum 700 credit score using the FICO 2 rating system, and will be subject to all other screening criteria. An additional High-Risk deposit may be required with any Guarantor situation. The Guarantor will be required to pay an application fee and to submit all documentation required to apply.

 

Applicants may be deemed High-Risk if an excessive number of collections are reported or if no credit score is provided. High Risk applicants will be required to pay an additional deposit that is equal to one month's rent, in addition to any security or pet deposit due. In the case of grouped applicants, if one applicant is deemed High Risk, it will apply to all applicants in that group. 


Any deviation from these guidelines will be at the sole discretion of the property owner. Applications, even if accepted, shall under no circumstances be considered a lease agreement between Applicant and Landlord, or an offer to lease.

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