Stop and read these important tips before you apply!

Are you thinking of applying for one of our rental properties? STOP and carefully read through this important list of tips and requirements before you begin. These tips can help save you time and money.

There are certain things that will generate an automatic denial if found during your screening process. Even if you can explain the reason for the issue, we cannot approve your application until you clear it up on your background check, credit report, prior landlord reference, etc. (as applicable) and we receive documentation that it has been officially removed from your record. The following issues will result in an automatic denial with our company:

• Any outstanding debt owed to a previous property manager, management company, or landlord

• Gross income of less than 3 times the monthly rent

• Evictions in the past 12 months

• Significant damages to a previous rental property reported by a prior landlord

• Falsifying or omitting information on your application

Applying online is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to expedite your application, and you can do so by visiting our website's Vacancies tab (here). Once you see the list of available properties, click the "Apply Now" button to begin your application for the property of your choice. If you are unable to apply online, we do have paper applications in our office that can be picked up or emailed to you. If you decide to submit a paper application, you will need to drop off the application in person accompanied by application fee(s) in the form of certified funds (cashier's check, money order, etc. - NOT CASH).

As a part of the online application process, the first page you will see is a "Before You Begin" page - BE SURE TO READ IT IN DETAIL. Many of the tips listed in this blog are reiterated on that page; however, there are additional details you'll need to know before paying your application fee and completing your application. We do NOT refund application fees for things that an applicant should have known by reading this information prior to applying. It is your responsibility to ensure you can comply with all requirements, and that you do not have any of the automatic denial issues before deciding to apply with our company.

Application fees are $55 per person over the age of 18 that will reside in the home. Everyone who will be living in the home (financially-responsible or not) must submit a separate application and pay the $55 fee.

Pet screening is required and is good for one year following the screening date. The pet screening fee is $25 for the first pet and $20 for a second pet. We do not allow more than two pets at any of our rental properties, even if they are listed as pet friendly. (There is no fee associated with screening a service animal or emotional support animal, however the pet screening is still required.)

In the interest of health and safety, only those people who will be occupying the home will be allowed to view the property at the showing. Please do not bring friends or other family members along for the showing appointment if they will not be moving into the home with you.

Applications are typically processed within seven days after submission. You will be contacted via email regarding your application status, and if any additional information is needed to proceed with processing, you must submit it promptly to avoid cancelation. Please plan to watch your email closely after you submit an application, as it is our primary form of communication with applicants due to documentation regulations. Each financially-responsible applicant will need to provide a valid email address (no shared emails allowed for security purposes).

To remove a property from the market, we require a holding fee equal to one month's rent. The holding fee is refundable for five calendar days following receipt, or until the lease is executed, whichever happens first. The holding fee is then credited toward your security deposit. Until a holding fee is paid and an acceptance of the property confirmed, applications will continue to be processed and offered to other approved applicants; so, please be prepared to pay the fee immediately following receipt of your approved status notification to ensure you do not lose out on your desired property. Holding fees must be paid by certified funds (no cash or online payments).

Once we have received several pending applications on a property, it is temporarily removed from the website vacancies to allow time for application processing. If all applications are denied, the property will go back on the website accordingly.

If your application was approved, but you were not selected as the top applicant for your desired property, your application remains valid for 30 days and can be applied to any other available property within your approved price range for that period of time. After 30 days, you must re-apply since credit reports, background checks, etc. are all updated every month. We must be sure to have the latest, most updated information available for each applicant.

It is one of our deepest desires to have a smooth working relationship with our applicants, tenants, owners, and vendors. By embracing personal responsibility for carefully reviewing documents and being attentive to communications throughout the process, you are doing your part to contribute to a fluid working relationship. Select Rental Services commits to do the same, and we look forward to building these relationships on an ongoing basis.

If you have questions that have not been answered here or in the "Before You Begin" section of our application, please feel free to contact our office by phone at 252.335.8633 or by email at rentals@selectrentalservices.com.