How to Apply

1. Visit our website → Rentals → select a property → click submit an application.

2. Submit one application per adult (18+) occupant and any co‑signers/guarantors.

3. Upload requested documents (see below). We process completed applications first and we may receive multiple applications for the same home.

Application fee: $50 per adult (non‑refundable). Fees cover third‑party screening costs and staff time.

What We Need From You (per adult)

• Documents must be complete, unredacted, and include all pages. We cannot accept partial statements, screenshots, or redacted documents.

• Government‑Issued Photo ID for each adult and any co‑signer/guarantor.

• All applicants: last 2 bank statements (complete statements, all pages).

• Income documentation (choose your situation):

  • W‑2 employees: last 2 pay stubs and most recent year‑end W‑2 (if available).

  • Self‑employed/1099: most recent tax return (all schedules/forms).

  • Benefits (e.g., Social Security, disability, other assistance): most recent benefits/award letter.

  • Relocating/new job: Offer or transfer letter on company letterhead (supervisor name, phone, email, start date, compensation, and signature).

• Residential history (last 12–24 months): Prior landlord/manager contact info and proof of last 3 rent payments (bank statement or rent ledger). If you owned your home in the last year, provide deed/tax record/closing statement.

• Military service (if applicable): proof of service.

If income or housing history cannot be verified, the application may be considered higher risk and subject to conditional approval (see below).

Core Qualification Standards

We evaluate the whole application and apply criteria uniformly. Meeting minimums does not guarantee approval.

Income & Employment

• Threshold: Household gross monthly income ≥ 2.5× the monthly rent.

  • If you use a housing voucher/subsidy, the 2.5× multiple applies to your tenant portion only.

• Stability: Generally 3+ months with current employer or consistent income stream. Please document any gaps.

Credit History (Combined/Primary FICO)

• Minimum score required: 580. Applications under 580 are typically denied.

• 675+ → Acceptable

• 625–674 → Conditional

• 600–624 → Higher Risk / Conditional

• 580–599 → Edge / Conditional (likely requires mitigations below)

Additional credit considerations:

• No open bankruptcy. Discharged BK acceptable with re‑established credit.

• Landlord/utility collections or rental judgments in the last 5 years may result in denial unless satisfied. (Medical and student‑loan collections weighed differently.)

Rental History

• 24 months of positive, verifiable history preferred (mortgage history counts).

• Evictions: Any evictions within the last 3 years typically results in denial; older, satisfied cases may be considered with strong history since.

• Material lease violations, unauthorized occupants/animals, or property damage can result in denial.

Criminal Background (Individualized Assessment)

We use an individualized assessment consistent with HUD guidance. We do not consider arrests without conviction, expunged/sealed records, or juvenile matters. We review nature/severity, time elapsed, age at the time, rehabilitation, and rental history.

Convictions that often disqualify (subject to individualized review):

• Violent felonies, arson, human trafficking, felony burglary/robbery, manufacture of methamphetamine, or offenses posing a serious threat to persons/property, generally within 7 years.

• Offenses requiring lifetime sex‑offender registration.

Pets & Assistance Animals

• Pets: Allowed case‑by‑case per property with possible pet rent/fees and breed/size limits where permitted.

• Assistance animals: We process reasonable accommodation requests case‑by‑case. Assistance animals are not pets; no pet rent/fees apply.

• Pet Screening: We use a third‑party pet screening service to document pets and no‑pet affidavits as well as assistance animals. (Link provided in each application.)

  • Typical pet‑screening fees are paid to the screening provider; assistance animal reviews are typically free with proper documentation.

Conditional Approval Options

If you’re close but short in one area, we may approve with conditions:

• Lease Risk Mitigation Fee: $500 (assessed only when screening indicates higher risk; disclosed with the approval; applied uniformly and never based on a protected class).

• Additional security deposit (within North Carolina Security Deposit Act limits).

• Qualified guarantor/co‑signer (credit 700+, income ≥ 4.5× rent, US‑based).

• Prepaid rent (limited to initial months as agreed).

Two or more weak areas may require senior review or result in denial.

Processing & Decision Timeline

• We begin processing once all applicant documents are received. Completed files are typically processed within 2 business days.

• Homes may receive multiple applications. We evaluate the most complete and best‑qualified first in a consistent, non‑discriminatory manner.

• Incomplete or unverifiable applications may be denied. Providing false or misleading information is grounds for denial.

Fees, Deposits & Move‑In Funds (Summary)

• Application fee: $50 per adult (non‑refundable).

• Lease Administration Fee: $50 one‑time, due at lease signing (non‑refundable).

• Security deposit: Set per screening outcome and held in compliance with the NC Security Deposit Act (N.C.G.S. § 42‑50 et seq.) and applicable maximums.

• Lease Risk Mitigation Fee: $500 — may apply only to higher‑risk approvals as defined above; disclosed in writing prior to lease signing; separate from the security deposit.

• Other lease‑related fees/charges: Posted with each listing and in our Tenant Fees & Charges page.