Tenant Screening Policy

Rental Application and Qualification Guidelines

Brookside Property Management adheres to all Federal and State Fair Housing laws, which prohibit discrimination or harassment in housing based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status, military status, or source of income.

Application Requirements:

• A signed copy of the Tenant Screening Policy for all applicants.
• A completed and signed Application to Rent for each applicant aged 18 or older. Applicants who are 18 or older and do not have the legal capacity to enter a rental agreement must still complete the application, though they will not be financially responsible.
• Each application is valid for 90 days from the date of screening. Brookside Property Management reserves the right to request updated income information after this period.

Required Documentation:

• Government-issued photo identification.
• Social Security Card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• Proof of income, which may include:
• Recent paycheck stubs,
• Social Security award letters,
• Retirement payment schedules,
• Student financial aid letters,
• Public or government assistance documentation,
• Self-employed applicants must provide prior year tax returns and current profit and loss statements.

Income and Credit Requirements:

• The cumulative Income to Rent Ratio must be at least 2.5 times the monthly rent.
• The highest credit score of all applicants must be at least 600.
• Applicants with a credit score below 600, those listed on a sex offender registry, or those with a history of certain felonies may be denied but could be approved by a supervising Broker.

Automatic Denials:

• Income to Rent Ratio of less than 2.5 times,
• Open bankruptcies,
• Collections placed by another property management company,
• An unlawful detainer (eviction) judgment,
• Applicants listed in the Office of Foreign Asset Control records.

Security Deposit:

• Active military personnel are required to pay a security deposit equivalent to one month's rent, regardless of credit score.
• Security deposits will vary based on the Income to Rent Ratio and credit score. For instance, applicants with an Income to Rent Ratio between 2.5 and 2.99 will require a security deposit of 150% of one month's rent.
• The highest security deposit amount will apply if both income and credit calculations differ.

Brookside Property Management may reserve certain properties to support community programs, including partnerships with local housing authorities to combat homelessness.

Important Notices:

• Submission of an application does not guarantee that an applicant will be offered the property.
• Multiple applications may be received for a property and will be processed in the order of completion.
• Applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID upon request and authorize Brookside Property Management to verify all information provided and run credit and background checks.

Once approved, the applicant must pay a holding deposit (equivalent to one month's rent) within two business days and sign a lease agreement within 15 calendar days. If the applicant does not proceed with the lease after paying the holding deposit, Brookside Property Management will deduct "lost rental damages" for the time the property was held off the market.