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Screening Criteria

If the property you are applying for is in the city of Seattle, you hereby agree that you have received, printed and read the Seattle Landlord Tenant Laws Information For Tenant Handout.

Please be sure to read and follow criteria for consideration of a complete application. Your data is submitted in real-time. Only completed applications will be further processed in the order received. Groups of more than one applicant will not be considered complete until the applications from all members of the group are received. Each applicant of legal age must submit an individual rental application. Please note that, while equivalent applications are processed in the ordered received, other factors such as the requested date of the commencement of tenancy, or an applicant offering a higher rent amount may result in priority of another application.

A fully completed application includes filling out the online application form via https://sagengroup.quickleasepro.com/properties, paying the tenant screening fee, and complete and final landlord references, mortgage payment verification, employment verification, and/or pet references as indicated in the application form have been received.

Applications are not accepted unless all applicants have viewed the property. For applicants outside the area, one member of the group of residents or another individual identified by the applicant must visit the property in person and use Skype, FaceTime, or another interactive "real time" method of taking a virtual tour of the property on behalf of those not present in person. Failure to arrive on time for the showing appointment, or to provide advance notice of the intent to reschedule, may result in denial of the application.

For rental properties in Seattle, effective February 19, 2018 landlords can no longer restrict tenancy based on past criminal or arrest records. Criminal records will not be included in Intellirent screening reports.

There is a non-refundable application fee of $40 per applicant.

Rental History

  • 24 months valid, verifiable favorable rental history.
  • Valid rental history is a written lease or month-to- month agreement.
  • If rental history is less than 24 months, an increased deposit or cosigner may be requested.
  • 1 or more late payments, NSF checks and/or noise complaints within 24 months may result in denial.
  • If past or present landlord(s) do not respond to requests for information within 48 hours of being contacted, that may result in denial due to unavailability of verifiable favorable rental history.
  • Final recommendation will also be dependent on income, credit and employment history.

Credit History

  • All open accounts in good standing for 2 years.
  • Derogatory credit history may result in denial.
  • Insufficient or lack of credit may also result in denial.
  • Final recommendation will also be dependent on income, rental and employment history.

Employment

  • Unverifiable current employment may result in denial.
  • Final recommendation will also be dependent on income, rental and credit history.

Income

  • Monthly verifiable income must be equal to at least 3 times the monthly rental amount, determined in accordance with Section 14.08.40 F. of the Seattle Municipal Code.
  • If income is less than 3 times the rental amount it may require a qualified cosigner or result in denial.
  • Final recommendation will also be dependent on rental, credit and employment history.
  • Acceptable documentation for verifiable income varies based on the income source. Generally accepted documentation may include 2 consecutive (recent) paystubs, most recent tax returns, W2, Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Statement of Social Security Benefits, I20 (International Students), etc.

Section 8 Application Criteria

All Section 8 applicants are required to meet the same criteria as stated above, with the exception that the applicant only needs to meet income requirements for their portion of the rent. Recommendations will be made following the above set standards.

Co-Signer Qualification Criteria

If the property owner has allowed a co-signer or guarantor, the cosigner will be APPROVED if all the qualifications below are met; if the cosigner does not meet any 1 of the following criteria then the cosigner will not qualify.

  • RENTAL HISTORY: 1 year of valid and verifiable rental or mortgage history with no late payments
  • CREDIT HISTORY: All open accounts in good standing for 2 years with less than $100 in derogatory credit. Any bankruptcy (open and/or discharged) will result in denial.
  • EMPLOYMENT: 24 months with current employer or previous employment in same field of work.
  • INCOME: 5 times the rental amount of the unit in verifiable, garnishable income.

Photo ID

Valid government issued photo identification will be required of all applicants.

Grounds for Denial Will Result From the Following on All Applicants

  • Verified unpaid eviction showing on credit report or confirmed with landlord.
  • Unpaid rental collection verified on credit report.
  • Balance owing to landlord.
  • 1 or more late payments and/or NSF checks and/or noise complaints within a 24 month rental period (current and/or previous).
  • Unverifiable social security number.
  • Falsification of rental application.
  • Breaking lease agreement that will result in collection filing.
  • History of criminal activity on the part of any proposed occupant that presents a danger to persons or property, or the peace and enjoyment of other residents or members of the community could negatively impact your application. When evaluating any past criminal behavior, the nature and severity of the crime, is considered. If you have any mitigating factors you with us to consider, please provide additional information. Note that the following may result in denial:
    • Reasonable likelihood that a past history of abuse of alcohol may or will interfere with the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment by other members of the community.
    • Reasonable likelihood that a past history of use of illegal drugs (or unauthorized use of legal drugs) may or will interfere with the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment by other members of the community.
    • Reasonable likelihood that a past history of applicant or those acting under his or her control will interfere with the health, safety or right of peaceful enjoyment by neighbors or other members of the community.
    • Any criminal conviction which results in a registered sex offender requirement and/or any current sex offender registry requirement.

Please be advised: Under The City of Seattle Ordinance 125222, Tenant may be allowed to pay the security deposit, pet deposit, move-in fees and last month's rent in installments. The payment plan must be structured as follows, unless otherwise agreed to by Landlord and Tenant: six consecutive and equal payments for leases that are six months or longer; or four consecutive and equal payments for leases between 30 days and six months.

Consider this statement as notification that we do not accept a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report, as defined by RCW 59.18.257.

After the application has been completed, please make sure to contact the Leasing Specialist to alert them of your application.