Tenant Screening Criteria

Please review the following criteria carefully as application fees are non-refundable.
If you have any questions or concerns about meeting our rental criteria, please email us
at [email protected]

Portable Screening Reports are Not Accepted

General Screening Information
  • Application Fee: $55 (non-refundable)
  • All Occupants: Every adult (18+) must apply and be screened.
  • Valid ID: Government-issued photo ID required for all applicants.
  • Complete Application: We can only process applications that include all required supporting documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Processing: Applications are processed in the order received.
  • Smoke-Free: All properties are strictly smoke-free.
  • Occupancy Limits: Set by city code (typically 2 per bedroom + 1).
  • Holding Period: We can only hold a vacant property for up to 10 days.
  • General Rule (3x rent): Combined gross income must be at least 3 times the monthly rent.
  • Lower Income (2.5x-3x rent): May require a qualified co-signer or result in denial.
  • Tacoma Properties:
    • Above Fair Market Rent (FMR): Income must be at least 2.5 times the monthly rent.
    • At or Below FMR: Income must be at least 3 times the monthly rent.
  • Section 8/Housing: Income must be 3 times the tenant’s portion of the rent.
  • Co-signers: Income must be 4 times the monthly rent.

 

Required Income Documents

  • Employees:
    • 2 months of most recent pay stubs OR
    • 6 months of bank statements
    • Proof of other income (e.g., child support)
  • Self-Employed:
    • 6 months of most recent business bank statements
    • Last year’s personal tax return
    • Current profit and loss statement (P&L)
    • Proof of sole proprietorship or business formation documentation.
  • Section 8:
    • Same criteria as other applicants, but income only needs to cover tenant’s portion of rent
    • Voucher and case manager contact information required at time of application

 

Important:

  • All supporting documents must be verifiable and submitted with your application.
  • You must be able to pay all required deposits and rent in full before moving in.

 

Fair Market Rent (FMR) rates for Tacoma:

2024: 0 Bedroom $1430.00 1 Bedroom $1603.00 2 Bedroom $1987.00 3 Bedroom $2800.00 4 Bedroom $3236.00 5 Bedroom $3721.40 ($3236 x 1.15) 6 Bedroom $4206.80 ($3236 x 1.30) 7 Bedroom $4692.20 ($3236 x 1.45) 8 Bedroom $5177.60 ($3236 x 1.60)

  • Credit Score:
    • No Credit History: Co-signer required
    • 1-619: Application denied
    • 620+: 1x monthly rent deposit required
  • Credit Accounts: All accounts must be current.
  • Bankruptcies: No undischarged bankruptcies allowed.
  • Post-Bankruptcy: Must have at least one year of established credit after bankruptcy discharge.

 

Please note: These are general guidelines. Additional factors may be considered during the application review process.

  • Positive Rental History: You’ll need to show 24 months of good rental history from an unrelated landlord, or proof of homeownership.
  • No Evictions: A past eviction will result in denial.
  • Payment History:
    • Two or more instances of non-payment or bounced checks in the past 12 months will result in denial.
  • Lease Compliance:
    • Two or more non-compliance notices in the past 12 months will result in denial.
  • Outstanding Balances: Any unpaid rent or damage fees will result in denial.
  • Landlord Verification:
    • We need to be able to contact your current and/or previous landlord(s).
    • If we can’t reach them within 48 hours, your application may be denied.

 

Important Notes:

  • We may deny your application if we can’t verify your rental history or if your history shows a pattern of problems.
  • If you have less than 24 months of verifiable rental history, you might need a co-signer.

If a criminal record is found, we conduct an individual assessment, considering factors like:

  • Nature and severity of the offense
  • Number and type of convictions
  • Time elapsed since the conviction
  • Evidence of positive behavior before and after the conviction
  • Any rehabilitation or good conduct information you provide

 

Supporting documentation you can submit:

  • Letters from parole/probation officers, caseworkers, therapists, etc.
  • Certificates of treatment/rehab programs
  • Letters from employers, teachers, etc.
  • Proof of completed training or employment
  • Your personal statement explaining the circumstances

 

Important Note:
This screening process doesn’t guarantee that all current residents have a clean record. Our ability to verify this information is limited to what’s provided by credit reporting services.

We believe in transparent communication, especially when it comes to our pet policies. We encourage all tenants to review these guidelines to ensure everyone is on the same page and to avoid any misunderstandings.

We use PetScreening, a third-party service, to ensure ALL applicants understand and adhere to the property’s pet and animal policies, even if you do not have a pet or animal.

Please complete a Pet, No Pet, or Animal Profile on our landing page to get started.

https://mlrpropertmanagement.petscreening.com/

General Guidelines

  • Pet Screening: All applicants, regardless of pet ownership, must complete a pet screening through petscreening.com. A $30 fee applies for households with pets.
  • Pet Approval: Pets are considered on a case-by-case basis and require owner approval.
  • Pet Rent: A $50 monthly pet rent per pet applies, with the possibility of higher fees at the owner’s discretion.
  • Pet Addendum: An animal addendum will be included in the lease agreement for approved pets.

 

Breed & Species Restrictions

  • Breed Restrictions: Due to insurance limitations, we cannot accept these breeds or mixes: German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Pit Bull (including Staffordshire Bull Terrier), Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Akita, Malamute, Presa Canario, Wolf-Hybrid
  • Species Restrictions: Exotic pets and venomous or poisonous animals are not permitted.

 

Additional Pet Requirements

  • Disclosure: All pets, including emotional support and service animals, must be listed on the application and undergo a pet screening.
  • Documentation: Provide verifiable vet records and supporting documentation (including for service and emotional support animals) with the application.
  • Pet Photos: A photo of each pet is required before move-in.
  • Medical: All animals must be spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations.

 

Important Note: Failure to disclose pets, including support and emotional support animals, may result in lease termination or additional fees.

  • Income: Must have verifiable, garnishable income that is 4 times the monthly rent.
  • Rental/Mortgage History: 24 months of verifiable mortgage history with no late payments.
  • Credit History:
  • Credit Score:
    • Credit score of 725 or higher.
    • All open accounts in good standing for 24 months.
    • Less than $100 in derogatory credit.
    • No bankruptcies (open or discharged).
    • No evictions or foreclosures.
  • Guarantor Addendum: Must be fully completed.

Screening Process:

We utilize a variety of sources to thoroughly evaluate potential tenants, including:

  • Consumer reports to assess credit history, payment habits, and financial responsibility.
  • Public records such as civil and criminal court records, the sex offender registry, and county tax assessor information.
  • Income documentation and pet/animal records.

 

Important Notes:

  • Falsifying information or providing false documentation will result in immediate denial.
  • All information and documentation provided must be valid and verifiable.
  • Tenants are responsible for utilities unless otherwise stated. Proof of utility transfer is required before move-in.
  • Pools, trampolines, waterbeds, and aquariums (20 gallons or more) are prohibited.
  • All properties are smoke-free.
  • We have a strict no-crime policy.
  • A Holding Deposit Addendum and Holding Deposit are due within 24 business hours of approval (unless otherwise specified).
    • The Holding Deposit is 25% of the monthly rent and will be applied to the security deposit at move-in.
  • A signed lease is required from all tenants within 72 business hours of approval.
  • Proof of renter’s insurance with the manager listed as an interested party is required at move-in.

 

Pet Screening:

  •  All applicants regardless of if they have a pet  or not must go through a pet screening before submitting an application.
  •  No cost to applicants with no animals or services animals

 

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout the application and screening process.

Application & Holding Fees:

  • Application Fee: $55 (non-refundable) per adult applicant.
  • Holding Fee: 25% of the monthly rent, due within 24 business hours of approval to secure the property.
  • Holding Deposit Addendum: Must be signed and the holding fee paid via certified funds within 24 business hours of approval.
  • PetScreening: Applicants that have pets will be required to pay a screening fee of $20 to Petscreening.com.

 

Move-In Costs:

  • First Month’s Rent: The full first month’s rent is due at move-in. Your holding fee will be deducted from this amount.
  • Prorated Second Month’s Rent: The second month’s rent will be prorated based on your move-in date.
  • Security Deposit: (Amount will be specified in your lease agreement)
  • Additional Costs (if applicable):
    • Pet Rent
    • HOA Fees
    • Utility Fees
    • Lawn Care

 

Important:

  • All move-in funds must be certified and paid in full before you take possession of the property.

TMC 1.95.030(A) requires that along with this rental criteria notice, the landlord must include information on a tenant’s right to pay security deposits, non-refundable move-in fees and last month’s rent in installments, and with a City of Tacoma informational website address:

https://www.cityoftacoma.org/government/city_departments/equity_and_human_rights/rental_housing_code/tenant_resources. 

Upon request, a landlord shall provide the prospective tenant a paper copy of the property and landlord code violation information that can be found on the website identified above.

MLR Property Management Services utilizes RentGrow.com for tenant screening.

If your application is denied or results in an adverse action, you have the right to a free copy of the report and to dispute its accuracy.

RentGrow, Inc.

68 Harrison Avenue

Suite 605 #74213

Boston, MA 02111-1929

(800)898-1351

www.rentgrow.com

You can go to their website to request a free copy of your screening report, submit a dispute or learn more.

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Hours

SundayClosed
Monday09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Tuesday09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Wednesday09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Thursday09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Friday09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
SaturdayBy Appointment
Open today 09:00 am – 05:00 pm

Mon 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Tue 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Wed 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Thu 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Fri 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
Sat Closed
sun Closed