Rental Qualifying Criteria

Fair Housing Laws:

As a company, we do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law and welcome persons of all races, colors, religions, sexes, handicaps, familial status, or national origin. We believe in providing equal opportunity to all persons regardless of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, and any other factor deemed impermissible for consideration under applicable local, state, and federal laws, and we are committed to enforcing the Fair Housing Laws.

Application Processing and Time Frame:

If you fully complete the application and provide accurate contact information for your current and/or previous landlords, we can usually process your application in 2-3 business days. We pledge to process your application, whenever possible, the same day you apply. In some cases, unforeseen circumstances may require some applications to take longer. You will be contacted as soon as possible upon determination of approval or denial. All adult occupants over the age of 18 must submit a fully completed, dated, and signed rental application along with the application fee.

DeGuire Properties may terminate any agreement entered into (including the lease) in reliance on any misstatement made in the application. DeGuire Properties may question and seek information from all persons and/or firms named by you in the application and contract to lease, and you further authorize DeGuire Properties to acquire your credit report and criminal background check from any authorized credit agency. Acceptance of the application is conditioned upon a credit check and other verifications satisfactory to DeGuire Properties.

Cost:

If you decide to apply to rent one of our properties, there is a non-refundable application fee of $85 per applicant 18 years and older that must be submitted with your application. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

The Application Process:

Upon receipt of your rental application and application fee, you can expect and hereby authorize that we will (1) check your credit report; (2) check public records for any past evictions; (3) verify your employment; (4) verify your previous landlord references; and (5) perform a criminal background check. If you have bad credit, bad references, have been evicted within the past 5 years, or have — within the last 7 years — any felonies involving illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance, or felonies resulting in bodily harm or intentional damage/destruction of property (for example, arson), you will either be declined or may be required to post an additional security deposit as part of your approval. Co-signers/guarantors may be considered on an individual basis. Criminal history involving a sexual crime or a crime against another person results in automatic denial. Felony convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they are 5 years or older with no other criminal history.

The following offenses are cause for automatic rejection:

  • Arson or destruction of property
  • Burglary
  • Indecency with a child
  • Kidnapping
  • Lewd behavior
  • Manslaughter
  • Murder
  • Molestation
  • Organized crime
  • Prostitution
  • Rape
  • Robbery
  • Sale/Manufacture of drugs
  • Sex crimes
  • Stalking
  • Terrorism

Once you've been notified of approval, you must submit a security deposit (by electronic payment or money order) equal to one month's rent within 24 hours of your approval notification. Once approved and the security deposit has been paid by cashier's check, it becomes non-refundable. If you fail to enter into the lease agreement or refuse to take possession of the property by your applied-for start date, you forfeit these funds as liquidated damages. Due to high demand for rental homes, we will not hold a property off the market for more than 24 hours unless the required security deposit is provided. If this requirement isn't met, the home may be rented to another applicant. All payments, including security deposits, are required to be paid electronically.

All applicants must see the interior of the property before submitting an application. The property must be accepted in "as-is" condition before an application can be accepted, except where there is a written agreement for maintenance or repair items. Any such request must be written and included with your application under "Other Items Requested" in the contract-to-lease portion. If your request is acceptable to DeGuire Properties, it will be documented in the lease or a lease addendum. Verbal representations are non-binding. If two or more unrelated applications are received for the same property, we may select the applicant willing to accept the property "as-is" over one requesting maintenance or repairs.

All payments, including the security deposit, must be made electronically through the Resident Portal using ACH (bank transfer) or credit/debit card.

Resident Selection Criteria:

To qualify for the advertised monthly rental amount, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • One applicant must meet or exceed gross income that is 3 times the monthly rent. We will combine up to TWO gross monthly incomes which must meet or exceed 3.5 times the monthly rent.
  • Credit history and/or civil court records must not contain landlord judgments, eviction filings, landlord collections, or liens. We will not provide you with the credit report or its contents; however, we will provide the name of the credit reporting agency so you may request a copy directly. All information collected for approval or denial is considered confidential and for company use only.
  • No bankruptcies within the past 5 years. No more than one NSF or late payment within a 12-month lease. Credit score must be 600 or higher.

DeGuire Properties will work diligently to help you rent a property. However, additional criteria apply when the above cannot be met:

  • A qualified guarantor/co-signer must show five (5) times the monthly rental amount.
  • Written verification of resolution of credit problem(s) is provided.
  • Six months' rent is paid in advance and maintained through the first six months of the lease.
  • DeGuire Properties agrees to accept the application with an additional security deposit.

Resident Required Insurance:

Renters insurance is required for all leases and lease renewals. Residents are required to name DeGuire Properties as an "Additional Insured."

Self-employed applicants may be required to produce two years of signed tax returns or IRS 1099 forms upon request. Non-employed applicants must provide proof of income.

Valid current photo ID (driver's license, military ID, or state ID) is required.

Previous rental history reports must reflect timely payment, sufficient notice of intent to vacate, no complaints regarding noise or disturbances, no NSF checks, and no property damage or failure to leave the property clean upon move-out.

Current occupancy standards are a maximum of 2 persons per bedroom, except for infants under 4 years of age. Some city, county, or HOA rules prohibit more than two unrelated adults from residing in a single-family dwelling. Consequently, DeGuire Properties also prohibits renting a single-family dwelling to more than two unrelated adults.

Pet Policy:

No pets (with the exception of legally defined emotional support or service animals) are permitted without specific written permission from DeGuire Properties. Please see our Pet Policy and Pet Screening process by clicking the following link:

Other:

  • Rent is paid online through the resident portal or at a participating 7-Eleven, CVS, or Ace Cash Express.
  • Keys will be released on the first day of occupancy, as stated in the lease agreement. Requests for keys earlier must be accompanied by additional pro-rated rent and require prior approval from DeGuire Properties.
  • Security deposits secure faithful performance of all lease terms and conditions; residents may not designate the deposit toward rent due. Unless claimed due to a lease breach or damages, the security deposit is refundable when residents move out at the expiration of the lease term.
  • Maintenance and Repair — When you rent a home from us, we strive to ensure all items are in good working order. Please report any maintenance or repair requests during your first 5 days of possession.
  • Media Release — We routinely video the condition of our properties before and after each tenancy, and may use footage for marketing, video tours, testimonials, and similar purposes. Applicants understand and agree that DeGuire Properties may use these videos for any legal purpose and accept any risk or consequence from that use.
  • Multiple Applications — Because applications are processed quickly, it's rare to have multiple applicants for the same property. If this occurs, we'll make every effort to inform you in advance. We have an obligation to the property owner to find the best qualified applicant. We'll evaluate all applications and, at our sole discretion, select the best applicant — which may not be the first application received. More than one applicant may be approvable, though only one will be selected. Because evaluating applications involves time and cost (credit reports, criminal reports, and administrative costs), the application fee is non-refundable. If your application is approvable but not selected for that property, you're welcome to apply to other available properties without an additional application fee. Our application process is not first come, first serve.
  • Leasing Consultants — DeGuire Properties may provide leasing consultants to grant access to preview properties and distribute rental information, applications, and related disclosures. Leasing consultants are not authorized to negotiate on our behalf, and verbal representations are non-binding. Once your application is submitted, the approval/denial and negotiation process will be handled by the property manager overseeing that property.
  • You and any co-applicant may not withdraw your application or the application deposit. If you or a co-applicant withdraws an application or notifies us of a change of mind about renting the unit, DeGuire Properties will retain all application deposits as liquidated damages, and neither party will have further obligation to the other.
  • Keys or Access Devices — Keys and/or access devices will be furnished only after: (1) all parties have signed the lease agreement and related rental documents; (2) all applicable rent, security deposits, admin fees, and pet fees (if applicable) have been paid in full; and (3) you provide a copy of your renter's insurance policy.

Thank you for applying with DeGuire Properties!