SCREENING CRITERIA

FIRST RENT does not discriminate based on: race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, source of income, age, ancestry, citizenship, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, immigration status, primary language, and any other arbitrary basis (for example, Occupation or Veteran Status). We comply with all federal, state, and local laws concerning Fair Housing.

The application is for possession or responsibility of rent within two weeks after the rental property is in rent-ready condition or approval of your application.

Screening Process

1. Applicants must meet our guideline requirements.

2. Screening includes credit history and score, rental references, employment verification, and a nationwide criminal background check.

3. This process may take one to five business days, and times vary based on the availability of the listed references. FIRST RENT will send the screening results to the email address found on your application. If we do not approve your application, please refer to the Denial Policy below.

4.  If multiple - equally qualified - applications are received, then the first application submitted meeting our criteria will have the first option. See the Rental Application Guidelines below for more specific information on the application process.

General Requirements

1. Applicants must view the exterior and interior of the property or sign a Sight Unseen agreement upon applying.

2. Each applicant - 18 years of age and older - must complete a separate application and pay an application fee of $49.00 per individual, which is non-refundable.

3. FIRST RENT requires a holding deposit equaling one-half of one month’s rent or a full security deposit within 48 hours after being approved. Holding deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE if an applicant decides they no longer wish to lease the said property. 

4. FIRST RENT accepts the following forms of payment: 

• Online payment via tenant portal (after signing a lease agreement), 
• Certified funds (cashier’s check or money order) made payable to FIRST RENT. 
• Counter bank deposits at any nearby Wells Fargo.  

5.  FIRST RENT will secure the property in the approved applicant’s name when a lease agreement is signed and receipt of deposit. The holding deposit will become a part of the tenant’s refundable security deposit after possession of the property has been accepted. Tenants are required to purchase a personal “HO-4 Renters Insurance” policy listing both FIRST RENT and property owner as “additional insured.”

Rental Requirements

1. One year of verifiable rental or mortgage history from a current (non-family) third party is required.

2. Eviction-free rental history is required.

3. FIRST RENT will deny rental history reflecting past due rent or an outstanding balance.

4. If a listed landlord gives a negative reference or refuses to participate, the application will be denied.

5. Three (3) or more 72-hour notices within a period of one year will result in a denial.

6. Three (3) or more NSF checks within a period of one year will result in a denial.

7. Three (3) or more late payments within a period of one year will result in a denial.

8. Rental history demonstrating noise or other documented complaints will be denied when the landlord would not re-rent.

9. Applicant must give proper notice to vacate to the previous landlord.

Income Requirements

1. Gross monthly household income must be equal to or greater than three times the stated monthly rent.

2. Monthly obligations must not exceed 80% of income.

3. Proof of at least one year of employment immediately preceding the application date.

4. The following are acceptable proof of income:

• Currently employed: copies of 3 most recent monthly pay stubs
• Newly hired / job transfer: a letter of hire and salary from the employer is required.
• Self-employed: copy of last year’s IRS Tax Return that includes Schedule C and a copy of current Profit and Loss Statement.
• Other income: legal documents such as court orders for child support or government document verifying social security or welfare.

Credit Requirements

All information showing on the credit report is subject to verification, including previous address and place of employment. Some items we review are:

• Late payments;
• Tax liens;
• Charge-offs;
• Repossessions;
• Judgments;
• Discharged bankruptcies.

Any applicant with open bankruptcy will automatically be denied, except poor credit caused by medical expenses. A FICO score under 700 will require an additional deposit.

Credit Score Policy: FICO scores are used to determine the applicant’s creditworthiness. Approval or denial of credit history is based on the following criteria*:

• Good Credit: 700 + approval at advertised deposit amount
• Acceptable Credit: 671 - 699 approval at advertised deposit amount plus an additional 1/2 month’s deposit.
• Marginal Credit: 650 - 670 approval at advertised deposit amount plus an additional deposit equal to 1 month’s rent
• Unacceptable Credit: < 650 application will be denied

*FIRST RENT reserves the right to consider exceptions to the credit score policy in cases of medical bankruptcy and extraordinary circumstances. Refer to the rental listing ad for property-specific minimum credit score requirements.

Criminal

The application will be denied for any felony conviction within less than five years from release. Felony convictions can cause denial; however, per Federal regulations, drug and alcohol use felonies can be waived with proper documentation. Regardless of conviction date, no applicant with a felony conviction for an act of violence, sex crime, or illegal manufacturing or distribution of drugs will be accepted.

Denial Policy

1. If your application is denied due to adverse information being reported, you should contact:

Western Reporting Background Screening Services, Inc.

1787 E, Fort Union Blvd, STE 107

Salt Lake City, UT 84121

800-466-1996

2. If application denial is credit-related, contact the credit reporting agency listed on the denial letter to identify who is reporting unfavorable information. Request a correction if the information being reported is incorrect.

Disabled Accessibility Statement

FIRST RENT allows modifications to existing premises at the complete expense of the disabled person if the premises are restored (per Fair Housing guidelines) to the pre-modified condition at their own cost. We require:

• Tenant to seek the landlord’s written approval before making the modifications;
• Tenant will do reasonable assurances (in writing) performance of the work skillfully;
• Proper details regarding the extent of the work to be done;
• Names of the qualified contractors that tenant will use;
• Appropriate building permits and the required licenses must be made available for inspection by the landlord;
• A deposit for the restoration may be necessary.

Pet Policies

Suppose pets are negotiable at the subject property. In that case, tenants must sign a separate “Pet Lease Addendum” that contains our restriction relating to pets. If your application is approved, you will be required to pay an additional deposit, refundable after the tenancy. FIRST RENT may also charge a monthly pet rent premium for multiple approved pets.

Rental Application Guidelines

Understanding and agreeing to the above, we require each adult to provide the following information to begin the application process:

1. APPLICATION FOR RENTAL - Applicant must fill out this application form completely, signed, and dated.

2. PAY STUBS - Submit copies of your three most recent pay stubs.

3. W-2 or TAX RETURNS - Attach a copy of the last two year’s W-2 or Federal Income Tax Returns.

4. BANK STATEMENT - Submit copies of your two most recent month’s bank statements, both personal and business. 

5. IDENTIFICATION - submit two forms of identification (each adult). One must be photo identification.

You will be notified by FIRST RENT of when to submit any of the above supporting documents. Failure to provide any requested information would deem the application incomplete, then therefore rejected. Applications fees are non-refundable on rejected or incomplete applications. Application are processed by:

Western Reporting Background Screening Services, Inc.

787 E, Fort Union Blvd, STE 107

Salt Lake City, UT 84121 

(800) 466-1996

CalDRE License #01928755