Frequently Asked Questions

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Our application process is designed to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for both applicants and our team. Here's a general overview of how the process works:

1. Submission: Interested individuals submit their rental application through our website after thoroughly reviewing our Application Guidelines.
2. Processing: Once received, we carefully process each application. It's crucial that all requested information is provided to prevent any delays in the evaluation process. Missing information may result in a declined application.
3. Approval/Decline: Applications are then carefully reviewed, and a decision is made whether to approve or decline the application based on our Application Guidelines.
4. Showing: If the application is approved, we will work with the applicant to schedule a showing, allowing the applicant to experience the property firsthand.
5. Feedback: After viewing the property, if the applicant finds it suitable, they inform us of their interest in proceeding further.
6. Multiple Interested Parties: In cases where there are multiple interested parties for a particular property, we compare the applications to select the most qualified applicant. This selection process ensures fairness and aligns with our commitment to finding the best match between a resident and our properties, properties we manage for property owners, or other properties we have listed.
7. Application Duration: Applications remain valid for a period of 90 days. During this time, applications can be considered for any property listed within our portfolio, as well as other properties we manage for property owners and properties we have listed.
8. No Guarantee: It's important to note that submitting an application does not guarantee securing the applied property. Given the high demand, multiple individuals might be applying for the same property.

Our general application guidelines, subject to change, are as follows:

• All persons aged 18 or older who intend to live in the rental must be named on the application, submit all necessary documentation for proper screening, and pay the necessary application fees. Omitting any such individuals will lead to the application being declined. Additionally, any minors under 18 expected to reside in the property should be listed in the application, so they can be included on the lease as approved occupants.
• An applicant must have a credit score of 600 or above. If there are multiple applicants, the average credit score of all applicants should be at least 600. If the score is 574 or lower, the application will be declined. 
• If one of the applicants' credit reports comes back as "Unable to Score," with all other application requirements in good standing, a co-signer may be permitted.
• In situations where the credit score (or group's average credit score) is between 575 and 599, with all other application requirements in good standing, a co-signer may be permitted. 
• Credit scores and monthly expenses are based on the reports pulled from our vendor during the application process. We cannot accept scores from outside sources, and we can only deduct expenses with written documentation from the creditor.
• Applicants must have a verifiable income from the job they will be holding while living in the property, please see accepted income documentation on the FAQ page. This income should be sufficient to cover the rent and all other monthly expenses. The debt-to-income ratio should be at 40% or less, and any ratio exceeding 41% could result in disqualification.
• Applicants should have a minimum of twelve (12) months of employment at the job they will continue while residing in the property. If their employment duration is less than 12 months, there are two possible alternatives provided the rest of the application meets the other application requirements: 1) The applicant may have a co-signer (see requirements below). 2) If the applicant has a credit score of 700 or above, the applicant may choose to have a co-signer, or they could instead provide a double deposit.
• Co-Signer Requirements: A co-signer would need a credit score of 680 or above, an ongoing job (that they have been employed at for 1 year or longer), and enough income to cover both their own expenses as well as the applicant's rent.
• Any eviction may disqualify the applicant. 
• If the applicant has any collections or past due amounts, an explanation may be provided but may result in a declined application. 
• A previous bankruptcy may result in a declined application.
• An applicant may be disqualified if they have any criminal convictions, forgery, or any other items that arise during their background screening.
• Any aggressive, pushy, or hostile interactions from an applicant are grounds for application denial.

The application fee is $35 per person 18 or older who is applying. We don't like charging for applications. However, our vendors charge us each time we run reports on applicants. Therefore, we have to charge to pay for those reports. An application is valid 90 days from when submitted, and you may use it for any property we have listed during that time.

Typically equal to one month of rent, based on employment and credit check.

Our standard lease duration is 12 months. Any exceptions to this will be clearly specified in the property description.

Application fees are non-refundable. Please make sure only to submit one application, as it is usable for 90 days from the original submission date and may be used to apply for multiple listed properties. If a co-signer applies, make sure that they meet the Application Guidelines for co-signers, as the same no refund policy applies to their applications as well.

When you apply, you must provide verifiable income documentation. 

Examples include Two (2) most recent paystubs (your name, pay rate, hours worked, and date range for the pay period must be clearly visible), a signed job offer letter acceptance letter stating your name, start date, and anticipated monthly/yearly income, Social Security Benefits Letters, pension award letters, and if self-employed, you may submit documentation showing your business income for the past two years (or previous two pay stubs if you receive them). 

You can obtain your Social Security Benefits Letter using the following link from the Social Security Administration. https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/proof-of-benefits.html

Examples of items that are not accepted would be bank statements and photocopies of checks.

Link to Documentation Examples: Click Here

If your credit score changes, you will need to reapply on our website. You will have to pay the application fee again, as we are charged each time we run reports on an applicant.

If your application is approved, you will have to complete a PetScreening.com profile. We use this third-party screening service to ensure we have formalized pet and animal-related policy acknowledgments. Any fees associated with the pet verification are paid to PetScreening.com and we receive no incentives/kickback from applications submitted to PetScreening.com. For those who do not have any pets, you will just set up a free profile and acknowledge our pet policy. 

A student enrolled full-time in an academic institution may have a qualified co-signer pay the student's rent during their lease. Doing this shifts the income requirement from the student to the qualified co-signer. Proof of enrollment must be presented by the applicant when applying, this may be a class schedule clearly showing your name and class hours, an acceptance letter, or a letter from the extended education administrative department. When renewing a lease, the student must continue to provide enrollment documentation.

A signed lease and paid deposit allow for a residence to be held for a maximum of 14 days. After which rent payments begin, and insurance and utilities must be active and in the tenant's name. This policy may not apply to any properties we have listed and do not manage, which may not allow for any sort of hold.

You are always responsible for the entire term of your lease. However, you may notify us of the need to move early. You must provide a new mailing address and the date by which you will vacate your residence, and then we can begin advertising the apartment for rent. 

Until a new tenant has been approved and moved in, you are responsible for:

• Continuing to pay rent until the new tenant moves in. 
• Continuing to pay utilities until the new tenant moves in. 
• Continuing to keep Renter's Insurance for the property until the new tenant moves in. 
• Paying a lease break fee equal to one month of rent once a suitable tenant has been found.
• Standard move-out inspections are performed, and the security deposit is processed as a normal move-out would be.

As always, check your lease to make sure this option is available, as this policy is subject to change. 

We require security deposits to ensure a property will be returned to the condition in which it was originally leased. When processing your security deposit, we look at the move-in information you supplied when moving in and compare that with the photos we took during the move-out inspection of your previously leased property. Vendors then take care of general cleaning, carpet cleaning, floor repairs, general repairs, painting, etc. Sometimes, a vendor will charge a minimum fee for coming to a property to perform a task; for example, a cleaning company may have a charge to go to a property and clean. If the tenant fails to clean the unit thoroughly, the tenant will pay this fee. The bills are then collected, and after review of the move-in information, we calculate how much you owe. If you feel that an error was made in calculating these amounts, please feel free to reach out with supporting documentation, photos, emails, etc., as we are happy to revisit the charges based on the provided information. 

We do not mark up anything charged by our vendors, and as such, do not profit from the items that must be completed to return your previous home to its original state.

We encourage all tenants to make notes, take photos, and send us their concerns within seven days of their lease start date. We want tenants to document any defects or issues so they can be noted in their tenant file for later use during the move-out process and security deposit processing.

Most of the properties we manage do not accept HUD/Section 8. Please see the property description to see more details. If you have a question, you can always email us at leasing@fultonmo.com. All applicants using a voucher are required to meet the same application requirements as any other applicant. However, remember that you may not have a co-signer under the HUD/Section 8 Program.