Equal Housing Opportunity

It is the policy of Ramona Property Managers, Inc. not to discriminate against anyone in any aspect of the rental of dwellings because of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status or religion.

This policy means, among other things, that Ramona Property Managers, Inc. will:

(a) always truthfully provide any person who inquires about an apartment for rent a reasonable number of apartments available for rent that meet the person’s stated criteria;

(b) never select, choose, recommend or suggest a particular apartment to anyone;

(c) never fail to inform someone of an available apartment;

(d) never discourage anyone from renting an apartment;

(e) never provide varying and/or untrue information about the availability and/or price of a unit; and

(f) never provide or withhold tenant services, repairs or amenities because of a person’s race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status or religion.

What are the requirements to rent one of your properties?

Applications are reviewed on first complete, first reviewed basis. If two applications are received in the same time frame, Ramona Property Managers, Inc. reserves the right to select the best qualified application. 

When all adult applicants in the household complete their background check authorization and submits a complete application, the review process begins.

Since an incomplete application is grounds for immediate denial of your application, we have put together this checklist to assist you. If all the boxes are checked, you have a complete application and we encourage you to submit your application package for consideration.

If you have submitted a complete application and are selected for the property our leasing specialist will be in contact within one business day to discuss the next steps in our application process and answer any questions you may have.

Not all residents must be applicants, but all applicants must be residents. All applicants must be disclosed, must be of legal age, and each person 18 years of age or older is required to complete an application.

We hope this checklist provides useful information in helping you put together a successful application

Applications that are incomplete, containing untrue, incorrect, or misleading information will be denied.

- [ ] Government-issued picture identification such as military identification, driver’s license or passport for each applicant. ALL applicants are REQUIRED to show valid photo identification.

- [ ] Proof of valid Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (TIN). Ramona Property Managers, Inc. does not discriminate or check immigration status, however we need an SSN or ITIN to check credit, payments, and in some cases to verify rental history.

- [ ] Photo of each applicant holding the government-issued picture identification such as military identification, driver’s license or passport. ALL applicants are REQUIRED to show a photo of the applicant holding valid photo identification.

- [ ] Verifiable source of legal income from each applicant. Three consecutive recent paystubs, most recent tax return, W2, bank statements showing additional deposits, etc.or proof of additional verifiable sources of income (e.g., public assistance, veteran’s benefits, supplemental security income or other retirement programs, Section 8 or other housing vouchers.)

- [ ] On properties that accept pets we require an uploaded picture of the pet, description including breed, age, weight, sex and neutered status, and proof of licensing and inoculation. If the application is approved additional pet deposit, pet rent or administrative fees may apply. Please check with management for the pet policy for the property to which you submit your application.

- [ ] A $50.00 application fee paid for each applicant. The application fee is non-refundable unless otherwise provided by state or local law. The cost represents the cost of obtaining a tenant screening report.

- [ ] All applicants must either personally tour the property or have a representative tour the property before they will be approved.

APPLICATIONS ARE INCOMPLETE until all items are received.  To confirm whether there are applications pending, ahead of yours, you may wish to call the office to confirm, prior to submitting & paying your application fees.

PROCEDURE AFTER APPLICATION SUBMISSION

1. After you submit your complete application, the landlord will note the date and time of the received application.

2. If approved, the property manager will prepare the lease documents and send it to you for your review. Execution of the lease documents and payment of deposit within 24 hrs of approval is required. Payment must be in the form of electronic or certified funds. No credit cards. No Checks. No Cash. If these timelines are not met, we will begin processing other applications.

3. All lease start dates must be within 14 calendar days of application approval, provided property is available.

4. When a screening report is approved with conditions, these conditions must be met within 24 hrs in order to maintain first position for the property.

Qualification Criteria:

The following are the requirements you will have to meet to be considered for a rental:

Rental History

1. No negative rental history

2. Rental references will also be verified

3. You will need to provide 4 years of accurate landlord references (note: per FACTA Identity Theft regulations, we report false landlord references to credit bureaus and local law authorities).

INCOME AND/OR EMPLOYMENT

1. Written verification of monthly household income must be legal, verifiable, and equal to or greater than 2.5 times the monthly rental amount.

2. If employed, proof of employment compensation for the most recent two full months is required. 12 months employment with your current employer is required. May be combined with previous employment in the same field of work. Alternatively, a signed Offer of Employment will be accepted for new hires. Acceptable documentation varies based on the income source.

3. Unemployed/Non-working applicants must provide proof of income meeting the monthly requirement from other sources of verifiable income or bank statements showing a minimum average balance in a savings account equal to eight months of rent, for the last six months.

4. Self-employed applicants are required to provide two years of tax returns and 90 days’ worth of bank statements, showing that they meet the criteria. If they cannot provide two years, but can provide one year, and meets credit criteria, applicants may be Conditionally Approved.

5. Non-working or retired applicants may use additional sources of income to meet the requirement, such as statements of investment earnings, statement of social security, child support, unemployment insurance, trust funds, government programs, etc. All other application requirements apply.

6. Debt to Income;  If tenant has more than 40% debt to income, application will be denied.  Current loans for property may be excluded if evidence that the property is rented or a family member can show proof of two months recent mortgage payments.

RESIDENCE VERIFICATION

1. 12 months of positive, contiguous rental history is required. Valid rental history requires a written lease or month to month agreement. A verified mortgage is accepted in lieu of rental history.

2. Resident history that indicates multiple late payments, returned checks, poor housekeeping, conduct disturbing the rights of others, unauthorized occupants, property damage, or failure to adhere to the rules of the prior rental agreement will result in denial.

3. Applicants that do not have 12 months of positive, contiguous rental criteria, from an independent third party, but do meet credit criteria, may be accepted with an additional half month’s security deposit.

4. First time renters must meet the credit criteria, and provide additional security deposit. First time renters without established credit must provide additional one month’s security deposit.

5. Applications for residency will be automatically denied if any of the following factors exist:

-- Outstanding debt to a previous landlord or outstanding NSF payments. If the applicant pays the debt in full, the applicant will be considered.

-- A breach of a prior lease or prior eviction of any applicant or occupant.

-- More than 4 late pays or 2 NSF payments in the last 24 months

CREDIT HISTORY

If you are receiving a rent subsidy and would like to request an alternative to a credit score, please let us know before applying.

This will be determined by your credit history and FICO score which are reported by the Credit Bureau

1. Applicants with civil judgments, tax liens, forcible detainers garnishments, HOA assessment liens and water and sewer liens will be declined.

2. Applicants with landlord debt within the past 5 years will be declined

3. Applicants with eviction filings or judgments within the past 7 years will be declined

4. Applicants with collections totaling more than $1,000 (excluding student debt or medical debts) will be declined.

5. Applicants with negative utility accounts W/I past six months will be declined.

6. Applicants with ANY delinquent credit within the past 60 days will be declined.

7. Applicants (or all applicants averaged) FICO score under 620 declined.

1. Conditional Approval: Applicants with a credit score between 620 and 699, and applicants with no credit history who meet all other rental criteria may be permitted to rent by paying an additional security deposit.  Applicants with a FICO between 620 and 699 may be assessed a credit contingency fee as outlined below.

8. Past Due:  Any applicant with past due account balances exceeding $500 (excluding student debt or medical debts) within the past three years will be declined.

9. Bankruptcy: Applicants with dismissed Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies will be declined.

1. Conditional Approval: Applicants with discharged Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies within the past 3 years who meet all other rental criteria may be permitted to rent by paying an additional deposit.

10. Applicants with evictions within the past 5 years will be declined.

11. Foreclosures will negatively affect an applicant’s credit.

CRIMINAL CHARGES/CONVICTIONS (Applies to all members of the household)

Criminal records must contain no convictions for misdemeanors for crimes involving violence, assault and/or battery, drugs, firearms, and/or sexual offenses.

In the event a record comes back "adjudication withheld", “nolle prosse”, or “adjudication deferred”, further documentation may be required and applicant may be denied on this basis. 

ANYONE CONVICTED OF MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL BE DENIED RESIDENCY.

GROUNDS FOR DENIAL

1. Verified eviction showing on credit report or confirmed with landlord within the last 5 years.

2. Rental collection verified on credit report of over $1000 or a balance owing to landlord.

3. Not meeting credit criteria.

4. Breaking lease agreement that resulted in collection filing.

5. Lack of 12 months of continuous, positive rental history.

6. Inability to provide required proof of income meeting the requirement.

7. Negative and adverse rental history, e.g. documented complaints and/or damages, multiple late payments or notices to pay or vacate with a statement by the landlord of “WOULD NOT RE-RENT”.

8. Any current notice to vacate or unlawful detainer or eviction.

9. Open bankruptcy.

10. Falsification or gross distortion of the truth on the rental application or made to a staff member.

11. Incomplete application.

12. Any undisclosed previous rental address.

13. Lack of response from applicant for additional information after 48 hrs.

14. If the applicant has not provided necessary information within 48 hours, application will be denied and RPM will begin processing the next application.

15. Violation of our Standards for Professional Conduct

### Other Things You Need To Know

Residential Property permitted use:  No residential properties will be leased for business purposes. Any violation of this will be cause for eviction if discovered after tenancy is granted.

APP FEE:  $50.00 APPLICATION FEE, PER PERSON. CASH, MONEY ORDER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS. NO PERSONAL CHECKS, CREDIT, OR DEBIT CARDS

If Declined: Applicant will be notified by phone or email.

If Approved: Applicant will be notified by phone, email, or text. Approved applicant will have 48 hours to complete their lease agreement, and provide certified funds, regardless of lease inception date.

Move-In Costs: If lease is not signed and funds are not received within 48 hours, Ramona Property Managers, Inc. reserves the right to move on to next  applicant.  Move in funds are to be certified funds only and consist of the following:

Security Deposit:                 Typically equal to one month’s rent. May be as high as 2x the rent

First month Rent                 varies

Other Deposits or Fees:      varies

PETS

All PETS must be approved by the Property Owner and/or Ramona Property Managers, Inc. 

For properties that approve pets, if a pet is allowed there will be a one time Pet Administration Fee of $250 and additional pet rent of $25 per month per approved pet. In addition to Pet Rent, you may be responsible for a Pet Liability Fee.

Any unapproved pet, discovered during a tenancy: resident will be billed pet rent and pet liability fee, back to lease inception.

This fee allows you the right to have an APPROVED pet on the premises.  This fee is not a damage deposit. Tenant is responsible for all damages caused by pets. 

The following pets are not allowed at any time: Puppies under 12 months of age, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Staffordshire Terrier,  American Wolf Dog,  Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, Dogo Argentino German Shepherd, Great Dane, Mastiff, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky,  Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Wolf Dog Mix. Dogs that contain a mix of one or more of the above breeds, dogs - regardless of breed - that have been involved in a biting incident and any other aggressive breed dogs.