Application Requirements and FAQs

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We’ve designed our application process to be smooth and straightforward:

1. Submit Your Application: Apply on our website after reviewing the requirements to ensure all necessary information is included. Missing details will cause delays or declines.
2. Evaluation: We carefully review all applications based on our criteria and notify you of the decision.
3. Property Viewing: Once approved, we’ll work to schedule a showing for you to view the property.
4. Express Interest: After the showing, you will let us know if you’d like to move forward with the leasing process.
5. Selection Process: For properties with multiple interested applicants, we select the most qualified candidate to ensure the best fit. (Note: For properties listed for owners that we do not manage, they have the option to review the application before proceeding with the leasing process.)
6. Application Validity: Your application is valid for 90 days and can be applied to any property we manage during this time.

Important Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or property availability. Application fees are non-refundable, your application can be applied to other properties within 90 days.

If your application is approved, we’ll reach out to schedule a showing for the property you applied to. At that time, you can also let us know if there are other properties you’d like to be considered for. We’ll review each one to make sure your qualifications meet that property’s criteria.

If you find another property you’d like to tour within the 90-day window, just email us at leasing@fultonmo.com with the address. We’ll review your file and follow up about next steps.

Please keep in mind that some properties are in high demand, and other applicants might be moving through the leasing process at the same time you are. One of them might complete their application and secure the property before you do, and occasionally, a property might be taken off our site without prior notice. To make things easier for you, your application is valid for 90 days from submission and can be applied to any of our available properties during that period.

Standard Applicants:

• Each applicant must submit their own rental application and pay an application fee.
• This fee covers the cost of obtaining background and credit reports, which we process through our verification provider, AppFolio.
• Your application is valid for 90 days from the date of submission. This means you can use the same application to apply for any available property during that period.
• Please note that the application fee is non-refundable.

Co-Signers: 

• We'll let you know if a co-signer should submit an application.
• They must also pay an application fee to cover the cost of running their reports.
• Ensure they meet the co-signer requirements.

Important Note: If you discover an error in your submitted application (such as an incorrect Social Security Number), you'll need to submit a new application with the correct information, as our verification service charges for each report they process.

Please be aware that we only schedule showings with an approved application.

Viewing Availability: Showings are generally available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. For occupied units, we ensure at least 24 hours' notice is given to current residents to respect their space.

When you apply, you are required to provide verifiable income documentation with your application.

Accepted documentation examples:

• Two (2) most recent pay stubs (name, pay rate, hours worked, pay period date range).
• Tax returns are not acceptable as a source of income verification for standard employment.
• Signed job offer letter or acceptance letter (name, start date, anticipated monthly/yearly income).
• Social Security Benefits Letters (name, benefit amount, date range).
• Pension Award Letters (name, benefit amount, date range).
• Self-Employed: submit two most recent tax returns.

Examples of documentation that cannot be accepted:

• Bank statements.
• Venmo, PayPal, Apple Cash, or other payment apps.
• Payment screens from services such as Lyft, Uber, etc. (You can request PDF copies showing your payouts from your platform’s support team. These should include your name, pay amount, and date range.)
• Pay stubs that do not clearly state name, pay rate, hours worked, or date range.
• Screenshots of paystubs, as they typically do not include all necessary information. Instead, send a PDF copy.
• Job offer letters that have not been signed and fully accepted by both the applicant and the employer.
• Copies of bank statements showing payments from pensions or Social Security funds will not be accepted. Applicants must provide an official letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the pension controller that states the gross monthly amount and confirms the payments are consistent and ongoing.
• A good rule of thumb: If the income is not reported for tax purposes, we cannot accept it as verified income to meet the income requirements.

If you require assistance or have questions about acceptable documentation, please contact us at leasing@fultonmo.com.

Helpful links:

• 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
• Documentation Examples: Click Here

Do not have someone submit a co-signer application unless we have asked for you to provide a co-signer. Co-signers are only permitted in a handful of situations.**

Co-Signer Requirements

• Must pay the standard application fee.
• Must have a credit score of 680 or higher.
• Must be employed with the same employer for at least 12 months.
• Must have enough income, three times the rent rate, and enough to cover their own expenses (as reported on their credit report) and the applicant’s rent.
• Cannot have any past due balances, general collections, or charge offs.
• Cannot have any bankruptcies.
• Co-Signers may not be a co-applicant.

Examples of Permissible Co-Signer Situations

• All requirements are met, aside from the applicant's credit report returning "Unable to Score".
• All requirements are met, aside from the length of employment.
• All requirements are met, aside from the applicant's length of employment and the applicant's credit report returning "Unable to Score".
• Student Applicants (Full-Time), please see section for details.
• All requirements are met, but only one applicant has qualifying employment and income and can cover the debt-load, including income requirements, for both applicants. A co-signer may be permitted when the other adult household member does not have a qualifying source of income or employment but meets all other application criteria.

Examples of Non-Permissible Co-Signers

• Co-signers cannot replace an applicant’s income, except for full-time student applicants.
• Co-signers cannot compensate for a credit score which falls below the necessary 600 threshold.
• Co-signers cannot compensate for past due balances, general collections, or charges off on an applicant’s credit report.
• Co-signers who do not meet necessary income and debt-load requirements.

Common Co-Signer Denial Reasons

• Co-signer did not meet the necessary co-signer requirements.
• Co-signer was not actively employed. 
• When one co-signer submits an application, their shared expenses with a partner might make their debt appear too high for approval. To overcome this, both individuals may apply as co-signers. Each needs to submit their own application and pay the application fee, as we are charged for each report by our vendor.

**Please note that this list is not exhaustive and may change without notice.

• You can hold off on this step until you're notified, as PetScreening.com charges a fee for regular pet owners. However, there's no fee for Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), or if you don't have any pets. Please note when submitting animal information, items such as vaccination records and current vet details are required.
• Pet Quantity Limitations: Please be aware that there are a maximum of 3 permissible pets per residence if pets are accepted.
• When Ready: Head over to https://fultonmo.petscreening.com and complete your profile. This third-party service helps us verify your animal's status and ensures you're familiar with our animal and animal-related policies. We're here to make this process as smooth as possible for you and your furry friends!

If your credit score changes within the 90-day application period, you'll need to reapply through our website. Keep in mind, there will be another application fee. This fee is charged by our vendor for credit and background checks.

Our standard lease term is 12 months. If there are exceptions, they will be clearly outlined in the property description.

Full-time students may use a qualified co-signer to take responsibility for rent payments during their lease. This shifts the income requirement to the co-signer, assisting students who may not have sufficient income or return "Unable to Score" on their credit report during their enrollment period.

Students must still meet all other application requirements, including a credit score of 600 or higher (or an 'Unable to Score' status), no past due balances, general collections, or charge-offs, and satisfactory results on background checks.

An official letter from the academic institution you will be attending is required at the time you submit your application. This letter must confirm your full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours) and attendance for the full lease term. 

We do not accept transcripts, class schedules, or email confirmations as substitutes. Applications submitted without this documentation will be declined.

Note: This option is only available when all applicants listed on the lease are full-time students. If any applicant is not a full-time student, the standard application process will apply.

We do not hold apartments. A signed lease agreement and paid deposit allow a maximum of seven (7) days before the lease begins. After this period, rent payments must commence, and residents are required to have insurance and utilities activated in their name. Please note: this policy may not apply to properties listed, but not managed by our company.

Our standard security deposit is typically equal to one month’s rent. The exact amount may vary depending on the results of the employment verification and credit check. Please feel free to inquire if you are unsure.

Utilities are generally not included in most of our rentals. Each listing will specify the known utility provider in the Utilities section. If any utilities are included, this will be clearly indicated in the property details.

In many instances, you can reach out to the utility provider to obtain average utility costs. For example, the City of Fulton Utility Department offers consolidated billing for numerous Fulton addresses and can assist with providing information on past usage costs when contacted.

Please also see: Utilities Directory

To protect your personal belongings and the property, all residents are required to maintain renter’s insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000. For guidance on obtaining a qualified policy, we recommend consulting a licensed insurance agent. 

For properties we manage, you are also able to purchase insurance through AppFolio, our software vendor. We do not receive any kickback from this.

For single-family homes, residents are typically responsible for lawn care unless otherwise stated in the lease. Lawn care is usually included for multi-family residences.

Most of the properties we manage do not accept HUD/Section 8 vouchers. Please refer to the property description for specific details. If you have any questions, feel free to email us at leasing@fultonmo.com. All voucher applicants are required to meet the same application criteria as other applicants. Please note that co-signers are not permitted under HUD/Section 8 guidelines.

We understand that having an application declined can be disappointing, and we truly appreciate your interest. To ensure fairness and consistency, we apply the same criteria to all applicants. Because of this, we're unable to accept additional deposits, co-signers, or upfront payments in place of meeting our application requirements.

If your application was declined, we recommend reviewing the letter sent via AppFolio, which outlines the decision in detail. Additionally, if you were part of a group application, please note that our system typically notifies only the applicant whose information led to the denial. If you're unsure about the reason, we encourage you to connect with them for further clarification.

We've gathered helpful resources about local utilities, internet providers, and public schools to help you get familiar with the area. Click Here

Our Resident Quick Start Guides walk you through essential tasks like submitting work orders and insurance documentation. Access them here: Click Here

If you need to move out early—whether due to a home purchase, job change, relocation, or another life event—you’re still responsible for rent and other lease obligations per your lease agreement.

To help with early move-outs, we offer a lease break process. This allows us to market your home and try to assist in securing a new resident. Please note that this is not the same as subleasing, which is not permitted with our lease agreement.

Step 1: Notify Us

• Email help@fultonmo.com to request a Lease Break Agreement. This must be completed and signed before we can advertise your home.
• A move-out date and a forwarding address are required on the agreement.
  • You’ll turn in your keys on your provided move-out date. We must have possession to inspect the property, handle cleaning, painting, and/or repairs, and establish a date we can advertise the home as available for new applicants.

Step 2: Marketing and Screening

• Once we have your signed agreement, we can begin marketing the unit with our other listings.
• Applicants are screened using our standard criteria.
• Showings are scheduled after a qualified applicant is identified.

Step 3: Lease Termination

• If a new resident signs a lease and pays their deposit, your lease ends the day before their lease begins.
• A one-time lease break fee equal to one month’s rent is due—even if you refer the applicant—since we’re still handling advertising, screening, and managing the transition between residents.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Until a new lease is signed and the new resident takes possession—or your lease ends naturally—you’re still responsible for rent, utilities, renter’s insurance, and any other fees outlined in your lease.
• Your security deposit will be processed within 30 days of your official lease termination date, and is subject to standard inspections and applicable deductions.

Things to Consider

• Deposits cannot be applied to rent or lease break fees.
• If your rent is below the current market rate, the unit will be advertised at market rent.
• If you're close to the end of your lease, this option may cost more than just finishing the lease. For example, if someone moves in during your final month, the lease break fee still applies because marketing and screening work began earlier. The closer you are to your lease end date, the more risky this option becomes.
• We can’t guarantee if or when the unit will be leased.
• If your account becomes delinquent or responsibilities aren't met, we may stop marketing the unit.
• All policies are subject to change.

Paying rent has never been easier! Access your resident portal to make secure payments at no cost when using ACH (bank transfer). You can also set up automatic payments to ensure you’re always on time.

Benefits of Using ACH Payments:

• Free of Charge: Avoid extra fees by paying directly from your bank account.
• Convenient: Manage your payments from anywhere, anytime.
• Stress-Free: Enable automatic payments and enjoy peace of mind knowing your rent is always paid on time.

Ready to streamline your rent payments? Log in to your resident portal at www.fultonmo.com/login.

Submitting maintenance requests is quick and easy through your online resident portal. Here’s how the process works:

1. Submit Your Request

• Log into your portal to submit a maintenance request. (www.fultonmo.com/login)
• Include a detailed description and, if needed, attach photos to help us understand the issue better.

2. Review and Approval

• We review all requests to ensure they are valid before forwarding them to vendors.
• Some repairs may require estimates or approval from the property owner, which could take additional time.

3. Scheduling Repairs

• Maintenance work is typically scheduled on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
• While vendors do their best to accommodate schedules, please note that exact appointment times may vary, and that vendors will sometimes be unable to accommodate schedules in order to remediate issues efficiently.
• To keep your home in the best possible condition, it's important that necessary repairs are completed in a timely manner. If maintenance staff or a vendor is unable to complete a scheduled repair due to a resident refusing access, the resident may be responsible for any associated costs, including vendor trip fees and any damages that result from the delay.

4. Emergency Requests

• For urgent issues like electrical sparking, active water leaks, or flooding, call our emergency line immediately for prompt assistance. 573-552-9264, fees may be charged for non-emergency use of this line.

Adding a Resident:
If you'd like to add someone to your lease, follow these steps:

1. Notify Us: Current residents should contact our office to inform us of their intent to add a new resident.
2. Application Process: The individual wishing to be added must submit a rental application via the listings on our website.
3. Approval and Updated Lease: Upon approval, an updated lease agreement that includes the new resident will be sent to all parties for signatures.

Removing a Resident:
If a resident needs to be removed from the lease, here's what to do:

1. Written Notice: The resident wishing to be removed must provide written notice to our office.
2. Application for Remaining Residents: Remaining residents must submit updated rental applications through our website to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications independently.
3. Approval and New Lease: If the requirements are met, a new lease will be issued for the qualified residents to sign.

Questions?
For assistance or further clarification, contact our office at help@fultonmo.com.

Important Note: Per the lease agreement, only approved applicants are permitted to reside in the home. Allowing an unapproved individual to live in the residence would be a lease violation and could result in eviction proceedings.

We’re excited to help you welcome a pet into your home! Before bringing a pet to your residence, please follow these steps:

1. Verify Pet Policy:

• Contact our property management office to confirm if your property allows pets and if there are any restrictions (e.g., breed, size, or number of pets (typically restricted to a maximum of 3 pets per property)).

2. Submit a Pet Profile:

• Complete a profile for your pet at PetScreening.com. This helps us assess and approve your pet.
• You must provide vaccination records and veterinarian information when creating the profile. Incomplete profiles will be declined.

3. Notify Us:

• Let us know once your PetScreening.com profile is complete so we can review and approve it.

4. Approval and Fees:

• If your pet is approved, a non-refundable pet fee of $300 per pet* will be added to your account.
• Monthly pet rent of $20 per pet* will also be charged to your account.

5. Welcome Your Pet Home:

• Once the required fees are paid, your pet is welcome to join your household!

*Please note: Pet fees and monthly rent may vary by property. Contact your leasing representative for details specific to your lease agreement.

• We encourage residents to document any defects or issues within seven days of their lease commencement. This documentation will be recorded in their resident file for future reference during the move-out process and security deposit processing.
• One of the primary functions of a security deposit is to ensure that the property is returned to its original condition when you move out. When processing security deposits, we compare the move-in notes provided at the start of the resident's tenancy with the move-out inspection. Vendors handle any necessary general cleaning, carpet cleaning, floor repairs, and other general repairs. We then collect the vendor bills and calculate the charges based on the move-in notes and move-out inspection.
• We do not mark up vendor charges; our sole objective is to ensure that the necessary work is completed to restore their resident's previous residence to its original condition.
• Please note that some vendors charge a base rate for their services. For example, if any cleaning is required—no matter how minor—a cleaning company will visit the unit. The cleaning company will charge a base rate for their visit, and if additional work is necessary, there may be further charges. These charges are the resident's responsibility. However, if for example, no cleaning is necessary, a cleaning company will not be engaged, and the resident would not incur any cleaning charges.