Application Qualification Policy

HOLDING FEE:

You may pay the Holding Fee after at least one person from your household applies or after your application is approved. Unless otherwise noted, the Holding Fee equals one month’s rent and applies to the security deposit upon signing a lease. A Holding Fee Receipt will be sent to you after processing the payment. After electronically signing the Holding Fee Receipt, the property will be unlisted and reserved for your move-in.

All future occupant and/or co-signer applications must be submitted, along with requested information and documentation, within 24 hours of paying the Holding Fee. This allows us to calculate your combined income. The lease must be signed within 14 days of placing the Holding Fee, and the tenant(s) must move in unless the unit is unavailable within that timeframe. If you need to reserve the home for longer than 14 days, you may request a 30-day Holding Fee Receipt for an additional fee.

The Holding Fee is non-refundable after one business day from the time received unless the applicant is denied.

If you have a voucher assistance program (such as Section 8 or housing voucher), you are eligible to place a Holding Fee upon submitting an application and all other terms apply to this Holding Fee policy; please note that the required voucher paperwork and inspections must be completed within the applicable 14-day timeframe for a lease needing to be signed and approved by your voucher program (this applies to both 14-day and 30-day Holding Fee Receipts). Per the policy above, the holding fee is non-refundable after one business day.

14-Day Holding Fee Receipt

30-Day Holding Fee Receipt

United Properties is happy to have a complete Resident Benefit Package for all of our tenants for a low monthly cost of $10/month. The Resident Benefit Package is provided to all tenants with no option to opt out. To learn more about all of the great benefits you will receive as a valued tenant, please visit our Resident Benefit Package page.

1. 1. The combined gross income for all applicants must meet or exceed three times the monthly rent amount.
      • For applicants using a Section 8 housing voucher, the combined gross income must meet or exceed three times their rent portion as outlined by the voucher program. The applicant must coordinate with their voucher program to provide a rent determination based on the property they’re applying for.
   2. Gross income includes:
      • Pay from non-temporary employment, if:
        • The applicant has been employed for the previous 6 months and if there have been no gaps in employment of more than 30 days during that time; or
        • The applicant has been employed at their current job for any length of time, and has a credit score of 640 or higher.
        • The Gross income is calculated by the current YTD gross wage, as shown on the most recent paystub divided by the number of weeks elapsed year-to-date. This will include applicable tips, commissions, paid out PTO, paid out sick leave, paid holidays, and other qualified leave. Bonuses and overtime would not be included in this calculation.
      • Pay from temporary employment, if the applicant has been on the same assignment for the previous 12 months and if there have been no gaps in the employment of more than 30 days during that time;
      • Net income from self-employment, as verified by the previous year’s federal tax return Schedule C, line 31.
      • Child Support and/or Alimony, if required by court order and paid by the payor through the Friend of the Court;
      • Social Security or Disability benefits;
      • Caretaker income paid by the State of Michigan; and
      • Money received from a trust or pension;
      • Investment income if verified by the previous year’s tax return and 6 months of bank statements are obtained that show the dividends or payments being deposited on a regular basis.
   3. Gross income does not include:
      • Overtime
      • Bonus
      • Any cash receipts not reported on an income tax return;
      • Food stamps;
      • DHS cash assistance
      • Unemployment benefits;
      • Student loans;
      • Any other income that does not meet the requirements of #2 above.
   4. If the applicant is starting new employment, the applicant must provide documentation of the amount of pay and start date, usually in the form of an offer letter from the employer. United Properties will separately verify the employment with the employer. To be considered sufficient, an offer letter must:
      • Include the start date of the employment;
      • List the applicant’s salary, or hourly rate and expected number of hours per week;
      • Be signed by the applicant and the employer; and
      • Be printed on company letterhead.
   5. If the applicants cannot meet the income requirement, this requirement may be satisfied by a qualified cosigner.

1. 1. 6. Income and Employment Verification – United Properties will attempt to call your place of employment to verify your employment. United Properties will also attempt to understand your gross income based on the documents you provide. The following documents and information will be required to process your application. Please see below. Additionally, in the list of documents, please include the following:

• • • Most recent pay stub. If you have been at your current job for less than six months, please also provide the last pay stub from your previous employer and the most recent pay stub from your current employer.
    • The last year’s W2 Tax Forms.
    • Direct supervisor company email address and direct company phone number. Additionally, direct contact information for Human Resources.
    • If you receive government benefits (i.e. social security, veterans assistance, etc) please provide a copy of the benefit letter.
    • The last six bank statements showing the direct deposits from the employer and/or government benefits.
    • If you receive child support, please attach a payment history from the Friend of the Court (6 months of statements).
    • If you are self-employed, the last two year’s tax forms and the last six bank statements will be needed.
    • If you have a voucher, the applicant must coordinate with their voucher program to provide a rent estimate determination based on the property they’re applying for. This document must come from the voucher program.

1. If all applicants, whose income is being used towards the income qualification of the household, have a credit score of 640 or higher, a security deposit equal to 1 month’s rent is required. Otherwise, a security deposit equal to 1.5 months’ rent is required.
2. No applicant will be accepted who has a delinquent utility bill, unless proof of payment has been provided. Utility bills include electric, gas, and water. At least one applicant must be able to transfer utilities not included in the rent into their name.
3. No applicant will be accepted who has had a possession judgment entered against them, unless more than 10 years have passed since the date of the judgment, or unless the eviction was due to foreclosure (limit 1), or unless the judgment has been paid and the tenant has a co-signer (limit 1).
4. No applicant with a pending eviction case will be accepted, unless the applicant has a co-signer.
5. Applicants must not have an unpaid money judgment or balance owed to a previous landlord on their screening report (or landlord reference) unless discharged, satisfied with payment documentation, or satisfied by bankruptcy. The applicant must have a qualified co-signer.
6. Chapter 7 bankruptcies must be discharged. Chapter 13 bankruptcies must be discharged, or the monthly payment will be subtracted from the applicant’s income, unless the applicant has a co-signer.
7. If you have not rented before, you must have a credit score greater than 640, or a cosigner will be required. If there is no landlord verification, a 1.5x security deposit will also be required. Family members or friends are not a valid landlord reference.
8. If the applicant’s background check indicates an outstanding utility bill, possession judgment, money judgment, or bankruptcy, the burden is on the applicant to prove that he or she meets the above qualifications.
9. Applicants may be rejected if a negative landlord reference is obtained. Having a qualified cosigner will not override this requirement.
10. Landlord reference should not be older than two years. Having a qualified cosigner will not override this requirement.
11. If prior rental history was through a private landlord, a copy of the lease agreement and ledger is required. Having a qualified cosigner will not override this requirement.
12. If you are a homeowner and don’t have a rental history, you must provide one of the following documents. Having a qualified cosigner will not override this requirement (*If the property has been sold, it must be within one year):
• *Property Deeds.
• *Deed of Trust.
• *Mortgage Note.
• *Satisfaction of Mortgage Letter

1. No applicant will be accepted who has been convicted of a violent felony or a felony involving fraud, unless more than 10 years have passed since the date of the conviction or the date of release from incarceration, whichever is later.
2. No applicant will be accepted who has been convicted of any felony, unless more than 5 years have passed since the date of the conviction or the date of release from incarceration, whichever is later.
3. No applicant will be accepted who has a pending felony charge.
4. No applicant will be accepted who has been convicted of two or more non-driving misdemeanors within the past 5 years.
5. If the applicant’s background check indicates a felony or two or more misdemeanors, the burden is on the applicant to prove that he or she meets the above qualifications.
6. Criminal history cannot be overridden with a qualified cosigner.

1. If we are advised of a possible identity theft involving an applicant, request that the applicant verify their identity by bringing their social security card/ITIN document and a picture ID into the office. The application shall not be approved until the prospect’s identity is verified in person.

1. A cosigner is qualified if:
   • The cosigner has a credit score of 720 or greater, or
   • The cosigner has income (as defined above) of three times the monthly rent or greater, has a credit score of 640 or higher and lives in Michigan.
   • By default, cosigners cannot occupy the cosigning property or unit. Additionally, co-signers are not considered tenants.

1. Applicants must complete a Pet Screening profile for their pet and have the pet approved.
2. For properties allowing pets, additional monthly rent may be charged according to the FIDO score given to the pet.

• 5 paws – $35/pet
• 4 paws – $45/pet
• 3 paws – $55/pet
• 2 paws – $65/pet
• 1 paw – $85/pet
• 0 paw – restricted breed / exceed weight limit – pet not allowed

3. Applicants must pay a non-refundable pet fee equal to $300 for one pet, and then an additional $150 for each additional pet.
4. Applicants must pay an annual non-refundable $50 pet inspection fee.
5. Applicants must not own more than two pets.
6. Applicants must accept the terms of a pet addendum to their lease.
7. For all dogs, the applicant must supply proof of a dog license, proof that shots are current, and a picture of the dog as part of the pet screening process.
8. For all cats, the applicant proof of spaying/neutering, proof that shots are current, and a picture of the cat as part of the pet screening process.
9. No aggressive breeds of dogs are permitted, including but not limited to: Akita, American Staff Terrier, Boxer, Bull Staff, Chow Terrier, Doberman/Doberman Pincher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Husky, Mastiff, Pit Bull/Any bull terrier, Presa Canario/Canary dog, Rottweiler, Wolf/dog hybrid, or a mix including any of the above.
10. No dogs weighing 75 pounds or more are accepted.

1. Per city ordinance, occupancy is limited to:
   • 1 person per bedroom of 72 to 100 square feet or less, and
   • 2 people per bedroom of 100 to 149 square feet, plus 1 additional person for every additional 50 square feet.

The following are the expected move-in costs:

• $100 Administration Fee ($200 if a 30-Day Holding Fee Receipt was signed)
• Security Deposit (equal to 1 month’s rent if credit score is a 640 or above. If not, security deposit will be equal to 1.5 month’s rent)
• Pro-rated Rent (+full following month’s full rent if moving on the 25th-31st of any month)
• Pet Fee (if applicable)
• Pet Rent (if applicable)
• Resident Benefit Package