Rental Criteria – Screening Criteria for Portland Multnomah County area (FAIR)

Please read the following policies. These policies apply for homes we manage in the Portland Multnomah County area, as outlined in FAIR.

If you feel you might meet the guidelines for qualifying, we encourage you to submit an application. An incomplete application will not be considered.

Applicants

Each person 18 years of age or older must complete and sign an application. Only the applicants may reside in the property.

If a co-signer is necessary, the co-signer must also complete and sign an application. The acceptance of a co-signer is not normal policy and is subject to individual approval or denial by Rent Portland Homes – Darla Andrew’s Office (referred to in this document as RPH).

To be processed and considered, a non-refundable processing fee must accompany applications.

The application will not be considered with missing or false information.

Generally, no more than two residents per bedroom.

An applicant assumes financial responsibility, and can be screened for financial responsibility. A non-applicant tenant assumes no financial responsibility, and cannot be screened for financial responsibility. A non-applicant tenant can be screened for factors related to maintenance and conduct.

A landlord may screen adult non-applicant tenants solely for factors related to maintaining property, and for conduct consistent with the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of premises by other residents or the landlord, and to evaluate prospective tenants’ ability to comply with the landlord’s Rules of Residency. While a  landlord may not screen non-applicant tenants for financial responsibility, they may require all adult tenants to sign Rules of Residency. 

All financially responsible AND non-applicant tenants MUST submit an online application.

Applications will be processed in accordance with current Oregon law, as outlined here: www.portland.gov/rso

The open application period beings at least 72 hours after the notice of unit availability is posted & applications are processed in the order received. Preference for accessible units is given to applications with mobility disabilities.

If applications are received before the open application period, they are subject to an 8 hour penalty and processed in the order received.

First rent payment must be paid within 24-Hours of receiving Welcome Letter and Lease Agreement else Rent Portland Homes: Darla Andrew‘s Office reserves the right to cancel your rental application and move on to the next rental application.

Screening Fee

A $24 nonrefundable screening fee will be required for each applicant.

Screening fees are to be paid online.

Credit Criteria

RPH will obtain a credit report and Criminal Background check and rental history for each applicant and co-signer 18 years of age or older. Reports supplied by applicants will not be accepted.

A credit score below 625 could be denied or require a co-signer. A credit score 550 or below is subject to immediate denial.

If requested by the tenant, the additional amounts may be paid in installments over a period of up to three (3) months.

Discharged bankruptcies are acceptable.

Rental History Requirements

1. One year of verifiable rental or mortgage history from a current third party is required. Homeownership is verified through the county tax assessor. Mortgages currently reflecting a past due balance will require an additional security deposit equal to one half (50%) month’s rent. Homeownership negotiated through a land sales contract is verified through the contract holder.

2. Rental history demonstrating residency, but not current third party rental history, will require an additional security deposit equal to 50% of one month’s rent or qualified co-signer. (Rental references ending 12 months prior to the date of application will not be considered current.)

3. Eviction-free rental history is required.

4. Rental history reflecting past due rent or an outstanding balance will be denied.

5. If a landlord gives a negative reference or refuses to give a reference, the application will be denied.

6. We may refuse to process an application if the applicant has verifiable, repeated Rental Agreement violations – with the same landlord – with the most recent violation within 265 days of the submission date, and if the landlord has provided the applicant with copies of the considered violation notices.

 Income Criteria

Applicant’s gross monthly income must be two times the amount of the monthly rent.

Income will be verified from copies of the prior month’s pay stubs provided with the application or by a phone conversation with the applicant’s supervisor.

Self-employed applicants must provide the most recent tax returns and 3 months bank statements.

Criminal Conviction Criteria
After you have completed your application, we will conduct a search of public records to determine whether the applicant or any proposed tenant has charges pending for, been convicted of, pled guilt to, or pled no contest to any person crime, drug crime, sex crime, crime of dishonesty such as forgery, fraud, or identity theft, or any other crime which could negatively affect the property or rights of the landlord or any other tenant. We will not consider expunged records. We will follow the law regarding the consideration of criminal offenses in connection with your application.

If applicant, or any proposed occupant, has a Conviction (which means: a conviction or pending charge/s that have not yet been adjudicated) in their past which would disqualify them under these criminal conviction criteria, and desires to submit additional information to Landlord ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION so Landlord can engage in an individualized assessment (described below) upon receipt of the results of the public records search and prior to a denial, applicant should do so. Otherwise, applicant may request the review process after denial as set forth below, however, see item (c) under Criminal Conviction Review Process” below regarding holding the unit.

A single Conviction for any of the following subject to the results of any review process, shall be grounds for denial of the Rental Application.

a. Felonies involving: murder, manslaughter, arson, rape, kidnapping, child sex crimes, or manufacturing or distribution of a controlled substance.

b. Felonies not listed above, involving drug related crime*, person crime, sex offense, crime involving financial fraud, or any other crime which would adversely affect property of the landlord or tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the tenants, the landlord or the landlord’s agent, where the date of disposition has occurred in the last 12 years.

c. Misdemeanors involving: drug related crime*, person crime, sex offense, domestic violence, violation of a restraining order, stalking, weapon, criminal impersonation, possession of burglary tools, financial fraud crime, where the date of disposition has occurred in the last 10 years.

d. Misdemeanors not listed above involving: theft, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, property crimes or any other crime if the conduct would adversely affect property of the landlord or tenant or the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment of the premises of the tenants, the landlord or the landlord’s agent, where the date of disposition has occurred in the last 5 years.

e. Conviction of any crime that requires lifetime registration as a sex offender or for which applicant is currently registered as a sex offender will result in denial.

*An arrest or conviction based solely on the use or possession of marijuana will not be considered. Similarly, possession of a medical marijuana card or status as a medical marijuana patient will not be considered.

Review Process for Criminal Convictions
Landlord will engage in an individualized assessment of the applicant or other proposed occupant’s Convictions. If the applicant has satisfied all other criteria (the denial was based solely on one or more Convictions) and:

1. Applicant has submitted supporting documentation prior to the public records search; or

2. Applicant is denied based on failure to satisfy these criminal criteria and has submitted a written request along with supporting documentation. Supporting documentation may include:

    i. Letter from parole or probation office;

   ii. Letter form caseworker, therapist or counselor, etc;

   iii. Certifications from rehab/treatment program;

   iv. Letter from employer, teacher, etc;

   v. Certification of trainings completed;

  vi. Proof of employment; and

   vii. Statement of the applicant.

Landlord will

a. Consider relevant individualized evidence of mitigating factors, which may include: the facts or circumstances surrounding the criminal conduct; the age of the convicted person at the time of the conduct; time since the criminal conduct; time since released from incarceration or completion of parole; evidence that the individual has maintained a good tenant history before and/or after the conviction or conduct; and evidence of rehabilitation efforts. Landlord may request additional information and may consider whether there have been multiple Convictions as part of this process.

b. Notify applicant of the results of the Landlord’s review within a reasonable time after receipt of all required information.

c. Hold the unit for which the application was received for a reasonable time under all the circumstances to complete the review unless prior to receipt of applicants written request (if made after denial) the unit was committed to another applicant.

Identification

RPH will accept any of the following (or combination thereof) to verify the name, date of birth, and photo of an applicant.

• Evidence of a Social Security Number (SSN Card)
• Valid Permanent Resident Alien Registration Receipt Card
• Immigrant Visa
• Individual Tax Payer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Non-immigrant Visa
• Any government-issued identification regardless of expiration date
• Any non-governmental identification or combination of identifications that would permit a reasonable verification of identity

Consideration of Supplemental Evidence

When conducting an Individual Assessment, a landlord is required to accept and consider all Supplemental Evidence that an applicant provides (with their completed application) to explain, justify, or negate the relevance of potentially negative information revealed through screening.

Condition of Move-In

Hours for lease signing are Monday through Friday, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

All utility and garbage accounts, where applicable, must be transferred into the residents’ name as of the date of possession.

Security Deposits and first month’s rent are to be paid in cashier’s check or online before keys are provided. (Daily rate will be charged if keys are delivered prior to date on lease/rental agreement).

Note: Some properties do not allow pets.

Your application will not be processed without the correct funds and all documentation attached!

If you feel you are qualified for the property after reading the attached Rental/Lease Policies, please follow these instructions:

1. Your application will not be processed without the correct funds and all current documentation attached.
2. Reliable and legal documentation and telephone numbers are required to verify income.
3. If employed, you will need to submit a copy of your last year’s W-2 or two (2) of your most recent pay stubs.
4. If self-employed, applicants must provide the most recent tax returns and 3 months bank statements.
5. Provide supplemental evidence as needed.

Applications will be contacted within 3 business days as to the status of their application.

Applications will not be denied because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status.

The Open Application Period begins at least 72 hours after the notice of unit availability is posted, and applications are processed in the order received. Preference for accessible units is given to applicants with mobility disabilities.

If applications are received before the Open Application Period, they are subject to an 8-hour penalty and processed in the order received.

Once you have been approved, you will have 48 hours to execute the lease agreement. An application is considered complete once all necessary documentation has been supplied to RPH, every applicant who is over 18 and will be residing in the home has applied, and all processing fees have been paid.

 If your application is denied, you have 30 days to begin the appeal process. To appeal your application denial, contact our office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at (503) 515­-3170.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION