Qualifications for Approval

The following policies are established to ensure that all prospective applicants screened by Real Estate

Investment Services (REIS) will be treated equally. Please be prepared to pay the application fee as outlined in the property listing and/or in the application.

Identification

• Each person 18 years of age or older must complete and sign an application and pay a non-refundable application fee.
• Applicants must provide current government issued photo identification

Income – (REIS) requires that you provide copies of your most recent bank statements (6 to 12 months).

Applicant may be denied for:

• Lack of proof of income (‘Employees’ must provide two most recent pay stubs; ‘Self Employed’ persons must provide two most recent year’s tax returns)
• Monthly household income less than 2.5 times the stated monthly rental amount

Credit History

(REIS) will obtain a credit report for each applicant 18 years of age or older. Reports supplied by applicants will not be accepted. Applicant may be denied for:

• Unverifiable Social Security number
• Credit score below 650
• Open bankruptcy
• Bankruptcy dismissed or discharged within the past 6 months
• Judgment or collection for unpaid rent
• Judgment or collection for damage to a rental unit
• Past due mortgage
• Tax lien

Criminal History

We perform an individualized assessment of any adult with criminal convictions to determine whether a business reason
exists to deny tenancy. We consider the nature and severity of the offense, the number and type of convictions, the time that has elapsed since
the conviction, evidence of good tenant history before and after conviction, any additional information showing rehabilitation, good conduct,
or other factors that you would like us to consider.

City of Seattle: SMC 14.09 prohibits any landlord from gaining knowledge of criminal history on a prospective tenant or tenant. A narrow exception allows for an individualized risk assessment of a person who is on the public sexual offender registry for a crime committed as an adult.*
Example Statement: “We perform an individualized assessment of any adult on a county, state, or national sex offender registry to determine
whether a business reason exists to deny tenancy. We consider the nature and severity of the offense, the number and type of convictions,
the time that has elapsed since the conviction, your age at the time of conviction, evidence of good tenant history before and after conviction,
any additional information showing rehabilitation, good conduct, or other factors that you would like us to consider.”
City of Tacoma: TMC 1.95.035(B.3) prohibits landlord from having a blanket ban on renting to anyone who has a previous felony conviction or
arrest record. Instead, they must conduct an individual assessment of a tenant’s criminal history such as the type and severity of the offense and
how long ago the offense occurred.
b. Landlords can deny tenancy for criminal history based on a conviction of any of the following:
1. Sex Offenses under RCW 9A.44
2. Violent offense under RCW 9.94A.030, against landlord, employees, or other tenants
3. Arson under RCW 9A.48
4. Manufacturing, sale, or distribution of controlled substance under RCW 69.50, or Use of Buildings for Unlawful Drugs under RCW 69.53.
c. Landlords cannot deny tenancy for criminal history solely based on:
1. An arrest that did not result in conviction, except as provided under subsection b above.
2. Participation in or completion of a diversion or deferral of judgment program.
3. A conviction that has been judicially dismissed, expunged, voided, or invalidated.
4. A conviction for a crime that is no longer illegal in the State of Washington.
5. A conviction or any other determination or adjudication issued through the juvenile justice system.
6. A criminal conviction for misdemeanor offenses for which the dates of sentencing are older than 3 years from the date of the application,
excluding court-mandated prohibitions that are present at the property for which the applicant has applied; or
7. A criminal conviction for a felony offense for which the dates of sentencing are older than 7 years from the date of the application, excluding
court-mandated prohibitions that are present at the property for which the applicant has applied.
Example Statement: “We perform an individualized assessment of any adult with criminal convictions to determine whether a business reason
exists to deny tenancy. We consider the nature and severity of the offense, the number and type of convictions, the time that has elapsed since
the conviction, evidence of good tenant history before and after conviction, any additional information showing rehabilitation, good conduct,
or other factors that you would like us to consider.”

Rental History

Eviction and Judgment

Applicant may be denied for:

• Eviction filed in the past 36 months
• Judgment or collection for unpaid rent
• Judgment or collection for damage to a rental unit

Employment History

Applicant may be denied for:

• Employment less than 12 months with current employer
• Unverifiable employment

Rental History

Verification from family and friends is not acceptable. Applicant may be denied for:

• Unverifiable rental history
• Unfulfilled lease obligation(s)
• Current or past balance owing for deposit, rent, fees or damages
• Eviction pending
• 3 or more late payments within a 12-month period
• 3 or more NSF checks within a 12-month period
• 3 or more complaints within a 12-month period
• Unauthorized pet(s)
• Unauthorized occupant(s)
• Damage to a unit or property

Pet Policy

Not all units accept pets; therefore, IF allowed the following requirements will apply:

• Prior written permission MUST be obtained before moving a pet in (at anytime during tenancy).
• An additional non-refundable pet fee per pet is required.
• Additional ‘Pet Rent’ may be required.
• Dogs listed on Aggressive Breeds lists are not allowed.
• Pets must be at least 18 months or older and properly licensed if required by the jurisdiction
• Dogs must be 40 pounds or less. (Some properties may have a lower maximum weight limit).
• Additional criteria may apply

Notices

• Regarding Your Rights Under The Fair Credit Reporting Act: Real Estate Investment Services’ decision whether to rent to you or not will be based in whole or in part on information contained in reports obtained from: AppFolio, Inc., which will obtain consumer credit report(s) from Experian 701 Experian Parkway, Allen, TX 75013. In the event of a denial, you will have the right to obtain a free copy of the consumer report(s) used to make such a decision and the right to dispute (through Experian) the accuracy of any information appearing in those reports. Further information will be provided in the adverse action (denial) letter that you will receive if you are denied.
• Additional information for residents within Tacoma City Limits. See the following website: http://www.cityoftacoma.org/rentalhousingcode