Tenant Resources

As a company, we do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and welcome Persons of all Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Handicap, Familial Status, or National Origin.

Please read the following policies. If you feel you meet the qualification guidelines, please submit an application. We DO process all applications received. If there are multiple applications, the most qualified application will be approved (ex. higher credit score, higher income, better rental history). The reason is that we have an obligation to the property owner to find the best qualified applicant. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If more than one person is applying with the applicant, both will need to be submitted at the same time. Our application process is not first come first serve. Our process is decided on best applicants and can take anywhere between 3-5 business days.

Please be prepared to pay the application fee ($85) as outlined in the property listing. In addition to this rental application, you will also be required to provide a copy of a valid form of identification and proof of income. Copy of valid identification must be in color. Temporary identification will not be accepted.

The following is the APPLICANT CRITERIA: Including CREDIT CRITERIA, RENTAL HISTORY CRITERIA, INCOME CRITERIA, CRIMINAL CHECK and BACKGROUND POLICY and PET POLICY. By submitting your application, you are acknowledging that you have read and understand the CRITERIA and POLICIES.

APPLICANTS:

1. Each person 18 years of age and older who will occupy the home, must complete an online application.

2. Our residences are non-smoking properties (incl. garage space).

3. Renters insurance is required to reside in our managed properties. This will be included in our Resident Benefit Package.

PROCESSING FEES:

There is a $85.00 non-refundable processing fee for each applicant. Applications are completed online.

CREDIT CRITERIA:

1. Currently we use Experian to determine credit score and other reporting. Scores from other sources will not be accepted.

2. We will obtain a credit report for each applicant. Reports supplied by applicants will not be accepted.

3. If you have no credit score or the report shows an N/A, the application will be denied.

4. The deposit amount is scaled based off your actual credit score.

5. If credit score is under 500, application will be denied.

6. An open Federal Tax Lien will cause for application denial.

7. Bankruptcy status and age will determine if an application is accepted with increased deposit or denied.

RENTAL HISTORY CRITERIA: The following can be used for rejection or increased Security Deposit:

1. Eviction, broken lease or judgment within the last 5 years is an automatic denial.

2. Eviction or outstanding balances due to a previous landlord over 5 years old could have an increased deposit or denial.

3. We do not take rental verifications from family members.

4. Please make sure you have correct contact information for landlord.

INCOME CRITERIA:

1. 1 person must meet or exceed gross income that is 3x the monthly rent.

2. We will combine up to TWO gross monthly incomes which must meet or exceed 3.5x monthly rent (income must be from people occupying the home - we do not accept Guarantors.

3. Income will be verified by the employer's HR department or, the prior month’s pay stubs with YTD calculation on check stub, to be provided with the application.

4. Self-employed applicants must attach 2 year’s worth of current tax returns - no exceptions. The AGI on your tax returns must reflect an amount that meets or exceeds the income requirement. Bank statements will ONLY be used to verify self-employed applicants along with tax returns.

5. Unverifiable income will not be considered.

IDENTIFICATION:

Photo ID and social security card must be provided at the time the lease application is submitted and they must be in color. We will not accept temporary IDs or social security cards.

CRIMINAL CHECK and BACKGROUND POLICY: :

A criminal background check will be run on every applicant. Felonies involving person or property convictions are cause for automatic rejection. Review the attached list of offenses that are cause for rejection. Your application authorizes 1st Choice Property Management to perform a Criminal Background check on you. The following offenses are cause for automatic rejection:

1. Arson or Destruction of Property

2. Burglary

3. Indecency with a Child

4. Kidnapping

5. Lewd Behavior

6. Manslaughter

7. Murder

8. Molestation

9. Organized Crime

10. Prostitution

11. Rape

12. Robbery

13. Sale/Manufacture of Drugs

14. Sex Crimes

15. Stalking

16. Terrorism

Any other offense may be cause for rejection or for special provisions to be added to your lease, such as Bad Checks would be cause for us to not accept rent payment by check.

PET POLICY:

Our Pet Policy is as follows, and this is not an agreement to allow you to have a pet. A Pet Agreement must be in place before you bring a pet on the property. We have a policy of two pet maximum per household, and all pets must have current shots. When you apply to have a Pet Agreement, a current picture of the pet must be submitted, along with their shot records, when applying through petscreening.com. The Pet Agreement is only good for that particular pet and not for any subsequent pets.

All pets (Limit 2) will be subject to a $300 non-refundable pet fee.

Apply all Pets at: https://1stchoicepm.petscreening.com/

Recommended Assistance Animals (i.e. service/emotional/companion/etc.) accommodation requests are not subject to pet deposits or fees.

We will not accept Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, or any other breed that is considered aggressive. The yard must be picked up at least twice weekly. Fences will be maintained by the tenant to insure the pet remains in the yard. Pets will not be allowed loose outside of the backyard. No dogs will be allowed in a home that does not have a fenced yard.

Resident Benefit Package

$35/mo - Included with ALL 1st Choice Property Management Residential Agreements is a Resident Benefits Package.

Below is a list and description of the benefits included in this package. It will be advertised specifically for each property and included in all Lease Agreements.

• MOVING CONCIERGE PROGRAM: The moving concierge service is a third party company which assists Residents in activating utilities, internet, cable and alarm services with one simple phone call rather than individualized requests to specific companies. The Utility Concierge Program simplifies the process of transferring all services and utilities into the name of incoming Residents.
• NO UPFRONT MOVE IN OR LEASE PREPARATION FEE: When moving into a property, Residents are often charged numerous fees. Commonly experienced fees consist of a “lease preparation fee” or a “Credit Risk Mitigation” fee. Moving is expensive and 1st Choice Property Management seeks to make the process as affordable as possible.
• CREDIT BUILDING: Landlord provides credit reporting to cast positive payment history through a third-party service. Landlords are not responsible for any misrepresentation, erroneous reporting, and/or lack of reporting by the third-party service. Tenant understands that any disputes will be handled directly between Tenant and the third-party service.
• GENERAL PEST CONTROL TREATMENT: Preoccupancy general treatment of interior and perimeter wall exterior.
• RESIDENT LIABILITY INSURANCE: 1st Choice Property Management has procured and instituted a master tenants policy that is included in the Resident Benefit Package. Enrollment in this program waives your obligation to provide a certificate of insurance for accidental damages arising from fire, smoke, explosion, and sudden and accidental water discharge caused by your negligent acts or omissions as described in your lease agreement up to $100,000. The insurance only waives your liability to the property and does not waive your liability to any third parties. The insurance only applies to accidental damage caused by your negligent acts or omissions and does not apply to damages caused by your deliberate or intentional acts or omissions. The insurance applies up to $100,000; any amount in excess of $100,000 remains subject to the lease agreement. Other coverage may apply to the tenant. Tenants shall receive, without an insurance application and insurance credit check, upon execution of this agreement, and shall maintain in full force at all times during the term of this Agreement, at tenants expense, tenants insurance provided by 1st Choice Property Management. Subject to the terms, exclusions and limitations provided therein, the 1st Choice Property Management master tenant’s policy provides the tenant with: Liability: $100,000, Tenant Contents: $10,000, Medical Payments: $3,000, and Additional Living Expense: $3,000. Deductible: $500. 1st Choice Property Management is the named insured of the Master Tenant Policy and the tenant shall be named as additional insured for their leased unit. The tenant’s insurance will commence on the move-in date as governed by the lease agreement. Tenants shall have access to the Master Tenant Policy and certificate of insurance at their request. Tenants will be responsible for contacting 1st Choice Property Management for claims submissions. Residents shall be responsible to pay any deductibles charged per incident for claims related to the leased unit. Conditions and exclusions apply, so please review the policy for details. This is provided to you without applications, credit checks, or billing.
• EASY ONLINE RESIDENT PORTAL: Used for Payments, Electronic Statements and Maintenance Requests: You have 24/7 access to your Tenant Portal to submit maintenance requests, pay online using ECheck/ACH payment options only, as well as access to electronic documents.
• UTILITY AND MAINTENANCE REDUCTION PROGRAM: 1st Choice Property Management will facilitate delivery of HVAC filters to the property every 60 days under the Utility & Maintenance Reduction Program. Residents shall properly install the filter that is provided within two (2) days of receipt. Resident hereby acknowledges that the filters will be dated and subject to inspection by the Landlord upon reasonable notice to verify replacement has been timely made. If at any time Resident is unable to properly or timely install a filter Resident shall immediately notify Landlord in writing. Resident’s failure to properly and timely replace the filters is a material breach of this agreement and Landlord shall be entitled to exercise all rights and remedies it has against Resident and Resident shall be liable to Landlord for all damages to the property, A/C or heating system caused by Resident's neglect or misuse.
• 24hr MAINTENANCE HOTLINE: Get Live Support for after hours, holidays and weekend emergency calls.
• 1 MISSED APPOINTMENT WAIVER: We know things come up and appointments can be missed, avoid that missed appointment fee for 1 forgiveness. (Once Annually)
• 1 ACH/NSF REVERSAL WAIVER: 1st Choice Property Management will grant a one-time waiver of a returned ACH or Check payment fee. (Once Annually)
• LATE PAY FORGIVENESS: Good for use once Annually (5 days max forgiveness, Once Annually)
• NO COST BATTERY REPLACEMENT: On Smoke Alarms, CO2 Detectors and HVAC Control Unit. If you hear your detectors beeping due to low battery, give us a call and we will get you taken care of.

  ***Resident Benefit Package is REQUIRED with all lease agreements with 1st Choice. There is no Opt-Out of this program. Tenants Benefit Packages will be billed as one charge on a monthly basis that includes the insurance benefit and payment/service benefits.

  ***Residents will be named as Additionally Insured under 1st Choice Property Management Master Insurance Policy. Residents will be responsible for any charged deductibles of $500 per incident for claims.

  ***INSURANCE DISCLAIMER. 1st Choice Property Management has the right and full authority to change, amend, modify or cancel; coverage, limits, benefits, waivers, requirements, cost, master insurance policy and Tenant Benefit Package at any time and the tenant shall agree to comply with any such changes at that time. Tenant insurance is non-transferrable to other tenants, leased units or properties. The Tenant Master Policy is in excess of any existing Renters insurance coverage available. The underwriting insurance company is responsible for all claims handling and claim decisions. 1st Choice Property Management is not an adjuster and does not pay claims or make claim decisions. If the tenant chooses to purchase additional coverage to protect their own interests or property over and above the insurance benefit provided by 1st Choice Property Management, the tenant can procure a renters insurance policy at their expense. This is not intended to replace a tenant’s personal property or liability insurance policy. Tenant Benefit Package waives your obligation to the insurance requirement in your lease agreement. Tenants should consult an insurance professional to evaluate and determine personal insurance needs. Other coverage may be included; see policy for details and exclusions.

• CONDITION OF MOVE-IN:

  1. All utility accounts must be transferred into the residents’ name as of the date of possession. We will have canceled all utility service by the move in date.

• If, after reading the above and reviewing our Credit, Rental, Income, Criminal and Pet Criteria, you consider yourself qualified under these guidelines, please understand the following:

  1. We will not process your application without the correct funds and all documentation being submitted together. Your application will be held in an incomplete status or denied.

  2. Once we notify you that your application has been approved, you will have TWO business days to bring the full Security Deposit in secured funds to our office and sign the lease or we will move on to the next qualified applicant. Only Cashier's Checks, or Money Orders will be accepted.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL US AT 817-281-1300.