Rental Guidelines

Rental Guidelines

The following information provides prospective tenants with the qualification rental guidelines for our rental properties. Please if you feel that something might be a concern, do not hesitate to contact us. We can provide you with better information and the ability to help you find the right property for you. Let us work for you in helping you get into your next rental property. We look forward to hearing from you. The application can be sent by email, fax, pick one up at the office, or download it off of this website.

Qualification Guidelines

Southwest Realty is the exclusive agent and representative of the Property Owner and does not, in any respect, have any judiciary or agency responsibility to Applicant. All Federal, State and Local laws are followed. Each application is processed without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or nations origin of the Applicant.

Applicants must meet the requirements of this Guideline Statement and if possible should have driven by and viewed the property in order for us to process the application. Each Prospective Tenant (Applicant) 18 yr. of age and older must complete a separate application and pay a $35.00 (Exact Cash or money order) non-refundable application fee. As for applicants who have joint credit, (and or file a joint tax return) the application fee is $35.00. Full-time students under age 24, living with a qualifying guardian do not have to qualify but must submit an application. If an application is denied, a Lease Guarantor may submit their application. The Lease Guarantor must sign the Texas Association of Realtors Lease Guaranty form and accept full financial responsibility along with Applicant. If a church wants to lease a property, the pastor must qualify personally.

Each application must be filled out completely, legibly, signed, and fee paid before being processed. Applications are processed in the order received. Backup applications will continue to be accepted until an approved applicant has signed the lease and paid the security deposit. A copy of the Applicant’s driver’s license (or other photo ID) and copies of the last two pay stubs, (LES for Military, or a Certified Letter from the current employer of Monthly Income)are required at the time you submit your application. Once approved, each Applicant must sign the lease and be fully responsible for the lease, rent or any fees due. Only 2 occupants are allowed per bedroom.

RENTAL HISTORY:

Applicants must have good landlord references for 2 consecutive years or more unless Applicants have just sold their home. Relatives are NOT acceptable as rental references.  The application may be denied for evictions, damages beyond normal wear and tear, illegal activity on premises, refusal to re-rent by the previous landlord or if a balance is still owed to the previous landlord. If an applicant has been residing in a home they own, they should provide a mortgage payment history of the last 12 months or a statement from their lender reflecting the status of their loan.

INCOME:

You must have verifiable income; (your rent should not be more than 35% of your gross monthly income(s) (for single or joint applicants). Unemployment or Workers Compensation will NOT be considered income. If an applicant is self-employed, then the bank statements for the last 6 months and the previous two (2) year’s tax returns will be used to verify income.

CREDIT:

All information showing up on the credit report is subject to verification, including previous address and place of employment. Entries reflected on your credit report must show favorable activity within the last 24-month period. Collections or judgments for related past rental history may be grounds for non-approval. Applicants should have a good credit history. All creditworthiness decisions are made by a third party agency. If an Applicant’s credit report comes back as an “at risk tenant” this might be cause for an increase in security deposit, denial, and/or additional prepaid months’ rent or prepayment of the entire rental term with a large deposit.

AGREEMENT FOR APPLICATION DEPOSIT:

Applicants receiving housing assistance must sign the Agreement for Application Deposit Form before the request for inspection form will be completed.

The Agreement for Application Deposit will be 100% forfeited if the terms of the Application for Deposit Agreement is not completed as agreed.

SECURITY DEPOSIT:

The Security Deposit must be paid by certified funds (money order, cashier’s check or certified check). The security deposit will not be refunded unless tenant completes the term of the lease and meets all other conditions of the lease. A return deposit can take up to 30 days upon the tenant’s move-out day.

CONDITION OF MOVE-IN:

Hours for lease signing are Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. and an appointment must be made. Other than after the lease is signed and binding, keys will be released at the time of lease signing.

All utilities to include water, electricity, gas, phone, cable and garbage accounts, where applicable must be transferred into the residents’ name as of the date of possession.

A daily-prorated rent rate will be charged if keys are delivered prior to the date of lease/rental agreement.

PRORATED RENT:

Possession of the Property prior to the 1st of the month will require the tenant to pay prorated rent. If possession is to be the 25th of the month or later, prorated rent and the 1st months’ rent will be due and payable at the time possession is granted.

MILITARY:

Must be rank E5 or higher.