Residential Leasing Application Process                           

 

Applications are processed and submitted for approval to the Landlord once all items are provided and in the order to which they were received by the Property Manager as follows:

 

1. Completed application will be reviewed for pre-qualification and added to the wait-list for the specific property being applied for
2. If the applicant is pre-qualified, applicant will be contacted to schedule a showing of the property
3. Application fee of $25 per adult will be due at time of showing in order to maintain your place on the waiting list
4. Criminal and credit background report will not be pulled until the property has been viewed and applicant confirms they are moving forward.  Confirmation is required the same day as the showing to maintain your spot on the wait-list.
5. Once application fee is paid, it is only refundable if your application is not processed because another applicant is approved and moved forward ahead of yours

 

Please read the attached Rental Verification Documentation Required by Tenant Applicants which goes into depth the requirements for qualification for one of our rentals which includes the following documentation:

 

• 5 page application with signatures required on pages 3, 4 and 5
• $25.00 application fee for each person over 18 (cash, money order or check payable to BHHS)
• NOTE: Cash will only be received at the 6312 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, location
• Copy of each applicant’s Driver’s License
• Two most recent paystubs or
• New-hire letter from employer
• If applicable, most recent asset statement or official voucher (i.e. Social Security)
• If applicable, most recent 1099 or Schedule C
• DO NOT complete the bottom portion of page 5 – this is for your current landlord to complete, if applicable
• If the property you are applying for is in the City of Kalamazoo, the requirements of the City Ordinance 18 and 18A will apply.

 

Applications may be returned to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate in person at 6312 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49009, by fax at (269) 585-6323 or e-mail to kzooleasing@gmail.com.

 

Once your application is approved by the Landlord, applicant agrees to:

1. Confirm move-in date within 24 hours of approval
2. Sign lease agreement within 48 hours of approval
3. Pay an amount equal to one month’s rent within 72 hours of approval in guaranteed funds.  These monies are non-refundable once paid but will be applied towards move in costs.

 

Applicant agrees to the application process, requirements and terms detailed above and further agrees that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate will consider their application cancelled if these terms are not completed as agreed at which time all funds paid will be forfeited.  All applications will be held on file and can be applied to any of our rental properties within 30 days of when the application was processed.

Rental Verification Documentation Required By Tenant Applicants

Each applicant, if he/she is over 18 years of age, must fill out an application with:

 

1. Full legal name
2. Date of birth
3. Social security number
4. Employment Information
5. Terrorist/background/criminal checks authorization
6. Rental/address history authorization

 

All information on the Application for Lease must be truthful and is confidential. A check for $25.00 must accompany each Application for Lease along with a copy of the applicant’s Driver’s License.  All individuals in any home, condo or apartment must be signed on the lease. All applications received on a property will be submitted for approval to the Landlord once all items are provided and in order to which they were received by the Property Manager.

Credit Score

We contract with On-Site at Rent Relations to request a credit and background report. Applicants must generally have a 620 level credit score that coincides with a timely and positive payment history in all areas of credit. While the specific information will not be provided to the Landlord for review, a Landlord has the option to require specific credit level requirements as long as they are disclosed to the applicant in advance. Further, the Landlord has the option to approve a rental application even if the applicant does not meet the qualification guidelines of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate Property Management however is not required to do so.

Employment

Evidence of current and consistent work history and a sufficient paycheck for the rental period to include rental payments, utilities, transportation, food, clothing and all other on-time payments showing that there is at least three times the income for the monthly rent payment. Every application must provide at least one of the following documents to verify employment and income:

• Two most recent paystubs
• New Hire Letter from Employer
• Asset Statement – most recent
• Most recent 1099 or Schedule C

 

Co-Signors are not permitted unless approved by the Landlord.  Co-Signors will only be permitted when the primary applicant does not meet the income requirement and not on basis of criminal, credit or rental history. 

Rental History and References

If you have previously rented, we require a positive rental verification from any previous Landlord.  Here are the primary questions we ask:

1. Would the past landlord rent to the tenant again?
2. Was the rent paid on time? How many late payments?
3. Has the past home or apartment been left in good and clean condition?
4. Were there additional occupants in the home or apartment?
5. Were there pets in the home?
6. What were the lease dates?
7. What was the amount of monthly rent?
8. Was a 30-day Notice to Quit given? Were court proceedings ever started?
9. Were there any noise/trash/lease violations?

 

Proof of satisfactory rental history must be provided. If an applicant has any outstanding Landlord-Tenant judgments, evictions or small claims and/or account balances with any past landlord(s), the application can be denied.

Bankruptcy and Foreclosure

Applicants must show a positive current payment history, a satisfactory credit score, a minimum of 24 months elapsed from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge, a minimum of 12 months elapsed from a Chapter 13 bankruptcy discharge, and generally 36 months elapsed on any foreclosure discharge.

Background and Criminal History

We contract with On-Site at Rent Relations to request a credit and background report. All applications can be denied if they report any criminal record of convictions or records of felonies, assaults, controlled substance charges, break-ins, robberies, fraud, etc.   Further, any misdemeanor charges may also be denied. All Landlords have the right to accept any application despite the qualification guideline requirements detailed by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Real Estate Property Management (O.M.P.H., LLC); however, are not required to do so. O.M.P.H., LLC will not reject and will not recommend for rejection any applicant for rental housing due to a history of a felony or any other criminal record.