Rental Criteria

We take great pride in our customer service and satisfaction of our residents. The following is a set of guidelines that residents must pass to qualify to live at one of our properties:

  • All Applicants age 18 or older and/or emancipated minors will be screened for residency.
  • An application fee of $60 per Applicant over 18 and/or emancipated minor will be required at the time of application.
  • The following screening criteria will be applied to all applicants as reasons to refuse an applicant:
  • Reside Occupancy Standards: 2 persons per bedroom + 1
  • All properties are smoke free

Credit Report Criteria

  • The Beacon Score will be used as a tool, but it will not be used as a qualifier.
  • Student Loans, Medical Debts and number of inquiries will not be determining factors.
  • Additional deposit or co-signer may be required due to credit history. (Conventional Housing total deposit is equal to one month’s rent plus security deposit. Affordable Housing total deposit is equal to one month’s rent, including security deposit.)
  • Landlord References are required (if applicable). An applicant may be denied based on the result(s) of a landlord reference.
  • An applicant may be denied if they received an eviction notice/non-renewal/or Mutual Termination.
  • Applicants who have been on Housing Vouchers less than 2 years may be required to pay an additional deposit or obtain a co-signer due to credit history.
  • Addresses listed on the credit report will be compared to the application.

Judgments & Collections

  • If an applicant owes a previous landlord the application may be denied.
  • If utility bills are in collection status, the applicant must present proof of payment or the application will be denied.
  • If an applicant owes back child support they may be denied.
  • If the total amount owing in collections exceeds $1,000.00, a co-signer or 1st and last month’s rent will be required. Applicants to Affordable Housing are exempt from this requirement.

Bankruptcy Will be Considered Based on the Date Filed.

  • Less than 6 months- Requires a co-signer, 1st full month’s rent, additional deposit and a letter of explanation.
  • 6 months- 2 years- Requires 1st full month’s rent, and additional deposit OR co-signer as well as require a letter of explanation.
  • Over 2 years- the applicant’s credit will be considered in good standing if the report indicates good credit history since the date of the bankruptcy.
  • More than one bankruptcy will result in denial.

Income Requirements

  • For Conventional homes, the applicant’s gross monthly income must be 3 times the monthly rent. Insufficient income will require a cosigner.
  • For Affordable homes, the applicant’s gross monthly income must be 2 times the monthly rent. Insufficient income will require a co-signer.
  • For Senior homes – gross monthly income must be 1.5 times the monthly rent.
  • HUD Units- income guidelines established by HUD must be followed.
  • Housing Choice Voucher Recipients (Sioux Falls Housing Vouchers) – gross income must be 3 times their portion of the monthly rent.
  • Maximum credit expenses cannot exceed 20% of monthly income.

Co-Signer Requirements

  • Co-signers will be held to the same credit requirements as an applicant in order to qualify.
  • Co-signer will be required to make 3.5 times the monthly rent amount.
  • Criminal reports will not be run for co-signers.
  • Co-signers with a bankruptcy will not be approved unless the bankruptcy is more than 2 years prior and the credit report shows that they have been in good credit standing since the bankruptcy.
  • Co-signers will be required to pay a $15 application fee.

Criminal History Criteria

  • If the criminal background report reveals information about a household member and the management company proposes to deny admission due to the information, the subject of the record (and the applicant, if different) will be provided notice of the proposed adverse action and an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the record. The notice will also provide the opportunity for the applicant to request a copy of the criminal record report.
  • For Conventional Housing, any open cases may be considered a violation for purposes of determining the applicant(s) criminal background report approval. Open cases will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Any open cases that would negatively affect the safety and security of the residents, staff, or property and the number and nature of open cases or convictions will be taken into consideration during the review process.

Admission Process

  • If a member of an applicant household is subject to a State Lifetime Sex Offender registration requirement, the management company will deny admission based on the household member’s eligibility for or actual inclusion on the list.
  • If a member of an applicant household has been convicted of a felony offense involving the manufacturing or distribution of a controlled substance, the management company will deny admission based on the conviction of any person convicted of the illegal manufacturing or distribution of a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substance Act (21 U.S.C 802); as permitted by Section 807(b)(4) of the Fair Housing Act.
  • If a member of the applicant household has been evicted from a federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity in the past three (3) years, the management company will deny admission based on this eviction.
  • If a member of the applicant household is currently engaging in illegal use of drugs, the management company will deny admission based on evidence of use.
  • If a member of an applicant household has been convicted of a violent felony offense involving crimes of physical violence to persons or property or the nature of which would be detrimental to the safety or welfare of other residents of their peaceful occupancy of the premises, the management company;
    • Will deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred within 7 years of application
    • May deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred more than 7 years before application.
  • If a member of an applicant household had been convicted of a non-violent felony offense, including by nor limited to offenses in which the nature would be detrimental to other residents’ safety, welfare, or peaceful occupancy of the premises, the management company;
    • Will deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred within 10 years of application
    • May deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred more than 7 years before application.
  • If a member of an applicant household has been convicted of three or more of the following (on separate occasions) excluding Traffic Misdemeanor,
    • Misdemeanors,
    • Driving Under the Influence,
    • Reckless Driving – The words reckless import a conscious and justifiable disregard of the substantial risk that the offender’s conduct may cause a certain result of may be a certain nature.
    • Felony drug possession, the management company;
      • Will deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred within 5 years of application.
      • May deny admission if the conviction, or exit from incarceration, occurred more than 5 years before application.
  • The management company will not consider an arrest or charge that was resolved without conviction. In addition, the management company will not consider expunged or sealed convictions. The management cannot deny admission or terminate housing solely based on an arrest, although an arrest may be the basis for further inquiry and a decision can be made on the conduct and other supporting information such as police reports detailing the circumstances of the arrest, witness statements, and other relevant documentation.
  • Where the management company “may deny” admission to a household, the management company will conduct an individualized assessment of the criminal record and its impact on the household’s suitability for admission. This individualized assessment will include consideration of the following factors: (1) the seriousness of the criminal offense; (2) the relationship between the criminal offense and the safety and security of residents, staff, or property; (3) the length of time since the offense, with particular weight being given to significant periods of good behavior; (4) the age of the household member at the time of the offense; (5) the number and nature of any other criminal convictions; (6) evidence of rehabilitation, such as employment, participation in a job training program, education, participation in a drug or alcohol treatment program, or recommendations from a parole or probation officer, employer, teacher, social worker, or community leader; and (7) tenancy supports or other risk mitigation services the applicant will be receiving during tenancy; (8) tenancy supports a case management participation program agreement.

Animal Policy Acknowledgment:

  • This property: ____Does _____Does not accept animals.
  • For Properties that accept pets, the following pet rents and deposits will apply:
  • Monthly animal rents: $25 per animal, max limit 2
  • Animal deposits: x1 Animal= Deposit: $150, Non-Refundable Fee: $150 (Total: $300). x2 Animals= Deposit: $250, Non-Refundable Fee: $250 (Total: $500)
  • Animal deposits UNDER 6 MONTHS OF AGE: x1 Animal = Deposit: $300, Non-Refundable Fee: $300 (Total: $600). x2 Animals = Deposit: $500, Non-Refundable Fee: $500 (Total: $1000)
  • $100 non-refundable animal deposit will be required for Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Hedgehogs, Sugar Gliders, Turtles, Lizards, and non-poisonous Frogs.
  • Please see the Property Management for list of pet/animal rules and stipulations.

All Applicants are interviewed and must complete an application before acceptance. This screening criteria will be applied uniformly to all applicants and will be used for the basis of final acceptance of the application.

  • Credit Report
  • Criminal Background
  • Comments from prior landlords
  • Comments from present landlords
  • Comments from other references.

All applicants understand and agree that application information is complete and contains all material facts. All applicants give full permission to verify the information set forth therein with the business and personal references stated. All applicants represent that the statements and information provided to the application are true, and correct. Reside Property Management, at its option, may investigate and verify such information before and after renting to the applicant(s). All applicants agree that such application/rental may be cancelled by Reside Property Management in the event that any statement or information furnished by the applicant in an application is false.

Renters Insurance

All applicants are required to show proof of renters insurance upon approval before lease signing.