Faqs – Apartment Leasing, Viewing, Qualifying
- You will be required to provide a valid picture ID to tour an apartment when you visit the leasing offices: A driver’s license or passport, and all adults (18+) must present acceptable identification for the purpose of in person viewing or touring vacant apartments, model apartments, and community amenities.
- Many property leasing offices aren’t allowed to tour or show apartments during inclement weather events due to liability issues and safety.
- Most properties require your income equals 3 times the monthly rent as part of the qualifications for standard apartment approval although some are slightly higher or lower. In the form of recent paycheck stubs, an offer letter of employment, or in some cases, bank statements and or IRS Returns, the requirements vary by property.
What are the criteria when reviewing my application?
- As part of the application process, apartment owners or owner representatives review a comprehensive report including credit history, criminal background, and public records search.
- Many factors can negatively influence a decision – FICO score, debt to income ratio, rent to income ratio, evictions, judgments, criminal convictions, collections, payday loans, repossessions, unsettled bankruptcies or recent bankruptcies, and current or recent rental and credit delinquency.
- Resident selection criteria include a credit check, background check, rental history check, and income verification. All occupants over the age of 18 will have a background check. Please note property management companies will vary in their qualifications.
Contact Kathy Curtis at 281-414-5258 to assist you with your apartment search today!
Q. Do I need to come to your office or meet with you in person by appointment?
A. No, our business is fully online for your convenience! Skip the trip and the traffic. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your apartment home or office to use my apartment locating service. I can assist you wherever you are. If you would like to meet in person, please contact me at 281-414-5258 or submit your contact information.
Q. What do I need to bring with me when I tour/visit the apartment communities?
A. You will need a valid picture ID such as a driver’s license or passport to view an apartment. To apply for an apartment, it’s helpful to have your paycheck stubs, verification of income, offer letter of employment, prior employment paperwork, landlord contacts, and or copies of a prior lease or rental history.
Q. What is an application fee; what is an administration fee and why do I have to pay them?
A. An application fee is required when applying for an apartment unless a special is being offered to waive it. An administration fee is also required when leasing an apartment, again unless a special of waiving the fee is offered. These are both one time fees. The application fee is non-refundable and required for all occupants over 18 years of age; administration fees may be refundable however this varies widely by property and individual scenario. Each property or management company will have different policies. Apartments charge these fees to process the application. (credit check, rental history check, employment and income verification, and background or criminal history check) These applications are not processed at the leasing or management office, apartments use a third-party company. Part of our service as apartment locators is we will search for specials for you.
Q. How Long Does It Take To Get Approved For A Lease? What Information is Needed?
A. As little as 10 minutes to 10 days, every apartment community or owner representative company can differ in the time frame for approval. Again, applications are not processed by onsite leasing/management staff. And applications are almost always fully online via the website, per their guidelines. Most apartment leasing offices accept electronic or credit card payments however some still require a money order or cashier’s check for initial fees and deposits. Having all the required documents such as paycheck stubs, employment offer letter, driver’s licenses, and copies of leases can expedite the application and approval process. Call 281-414-5258 with questions.
Q. What are the qualifications or criteria considered to be approved for an apartment?
A. When evaluating and processing your apartment rental application – these items are considered:
1. Credit History – acceptable credit history as a rule but varies by property, may be approved with a higher deposit or fee depending on property or management company, as long as other financial criteria are met;
2. Verifiable employment with income or proof of ability to pay rent – the standard is 3 times the market rent for the apartment as gross verifiable income or net verifiable income depending on the property. Cosigners or guarantors can be considered but also varies by property;
3. Rental History – 1st time renters can usually be approved with either a higher deposit or risk fee as long as other financial criteria are met however this does vary by property, and not all properties charge a higher deposit or fee for a first time renter;
4. A Criminal History Background Check is required for every occupant over the age of 18 when applying for an apartment. Disclose and discuss prior to apartment search – this question is also listed on the rental application and if not disclosed can result in the loss of administration fees and security deposits – application fees are not refundable under most circumstances, and admin fees may or may not be refundable – it’s best to disclose anything that could be a potential issue;
5. Broken lease or any unpaid landlord debt can negatively affect apartment approval and should be discussed prior to the apartment search with your apartment locator to avoid losing application and administration fees! An eviction is cause for denial and will significantly decrease the chance of being approved for an apartment. Please alert your apartment locator to any unpaid debts, evictions, broken leases, background issues, or pending issues!
Q. How much does your apartment locator or apartment finder service cost?
A. Our service is 100% FREE to you. Our service is paid for by the property owner, as long as our name and company are listed on the initial registration and again on the applications. No hidden fees or gimmicks. Please let the leasing offices know that Kathy Curtis, Texas Apartment Locators referred you, and if you apply online, select “apartment locator or locator service” as “how you found the property” or the referral source. Please contact me if you’re unable to find the appropriate spot to list my name. We are only paid as a result of your lease and work on a commission only basis, please keep me in mind. Online applications can be confusing, and often when you register on the property website, there’s no place to list my name or company! I’m a quick text, email, or phone call away 281-414-5258 if you have difficulty finding the place to put my name and company.
Q. My credit is not good, will you still be able to help me find an apartment?
A. In most cases, yes is the answer. As an experienced and licensed apartment locator and real estate agent, I have access to properties with the flexibility to consider certain credit challenges. It’s a case by case situation, depends on credit score, rental history, etc. Most apartments don’t base approval on credit scores alone. During our initial consultation, I’ll ask questions in an attempt to prequalify you: questions about credit score; income; current or prior apartment rental history, background issues, etc. I’m not being nosey, the more I know, the better I’m able to inquire if an apartment leasing office can work with you. It’s best to express concerns upfront. All properties must adhere to the Federal Fair Housing Act which requires they treat everyone equally. We do the same. No one can guarantee your approval including the leasing agents or managers until your application has been processed, however, if I’m given all the facts, I’ll do my best to match you with properties who will be able to work with you.
Q. Why should I use your service to find my apartment instead of apartment hunting on my own?
A. There are so many online apartment websites and apps but not all properties are listed because they don’t pay to advertise. And the prices aren’t always accurate as they can’t keep up. Prices can change daily. These sites also have no details for qualifying criteria. We do all the work for you when you use our apartment locator service!
I’ll narrow down your apartment search to a manageable list of properties that most closely match your requests! I will look for reduced prices, rent specials, free application fees or look and lease incentives, and discounts you wouldn’t ordinarily find on your own. We’re in contact with the apartment leasing teams directly. My broker company has been in business since the mid 1970’s, we’re a trusted and reputable name in the apartment rental and locator industry.
Q. What if I am a first time apartment renter?
A. No problem with most apartment communities. Houston apartments are almost always able to work with first-time renters as long as the qualifying criteria is met. Some will require additional security deposits or 1st time renter fee, as a one time charge; some will require a cosigner or guarantor; students may need a co-signer or guarantor.
Q. How Long of a Lease Will I Need to Sign?
A. Most apartments offer 12 month lease terms for the best price and to be eligible for any offered specials. Some will offer longer terms from 13 to 18 months, a significant advantage to avoid rental increases that can and do occur at renewal time! Those longer lease terms lock in your base rental rate for the lease term. 6 month lease terms can increase your monthly rental price with most properties but not all, however, not all offer a 6 month term.
Q. I’m ready, what do I do next to get started using your service to find my new apartment?
Email your contact information, text, or call Kathy Curtis at 281-414-5258. I’m here to navigate you through the apartment search process successfully. I want to save you time and money and more importantly, alleviate the stress that comes with a move whether it’s across the street, across town or across the county. Let’s have a brief conversation to discuss what’s important to you. From the floorplan, the price range, the location or area, to pets and more. I will help you and our service is always offered at no cost to you! Let’s chat today.