Rental Screening Criteria for The Joseph Group
FOR CITY OF SEATTLE PROPERTIES
Under Seattle’s Fair Chance Ordinance, SMC 14.09, landlords are prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting and applicant, or taking an adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except for registry information as described in subsection 14.09.025.A.3, 14.09.025.A.4, and 14.09.025.A.5, and subject to the exclusions and legal requirements in Section 14.09.115.
YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO APPLY FOR RESIDENCY WITH THE JOSEPH GROUP
WE DO NOT ACCEPT COMPREHENSIVE REUSABLE REPORTS
For applicants applying for a property in the city of Tacoma, the link below will provide access to information about code violations, findings on discrimination cases, and voter registration
https://www.cityoftacoma.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=167941
SEATTLE APPLICANTS:
The landlord is prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting an applicant, or taking an adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except for registry information as described in subsections 8 14.09.025.A.3, 14.09.025.A.4, and 14.09.025.A.5, and subject to the exclusions and legal 9 requirements in Section 14.09.115. If a landlord screens prospective occupants for registry information, the written notice shall also include this screening criteria and must inform applicants that they may provide any supplemental information related to an individual's rehabilitation, good conduct, and facts or explanations regarding their registry information.
Seattle Fair Chance Housing and Eviction Records Ordinance:
The landlord is prohibited from taking an adverse action against a tenant based on eviction history occurring during or within six months after the end of the civil emergency proclaimed by Mayor Durkan on March 3, 2020, and that the Seattle Office for Civil Rights is the department that will enforce any violations of this ordinance.
The Joseph Group requires a tenant screening report that may include the following:
- Consumer Credit Report
- National Criminal and Sex Offender Searches
- Washington State Criminal, Civil, & Eviction Records Search
- Rental History & Employment Verifications
Price Per Applicant: $42.00 USD (plus WA State Sales Tax)
IMPORTANT: Once the primary applicant’s information has been processed and approved, an email will be sent to all other persons who will be living at the address (spouse, roommate, etc.) Each additional resident MUST respond to the email, supply the requested information and “electronically” sign these separate applications. Under Seattle’s Fair Chance Ordinance, SMC 14.09, landlords are prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting and applicant, or taking an adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except for registry information as described in subsection 14.09.025.A.3, 14.09.025.A.4, and 14.09.025.A.5, and subject to the exclusions and legal requirements in Section 14.09.115.
As part of your application for residency with The Joseph Group, you will need to fill out the proceeding questionnaire so that the company can conduct a background check about you. As part of that process you will need to electronically sign a notice and authorization form consenting to these checks. This authorization form will allow LandlordSolutions Inc. to verify the information you provide and share its results with The Joseph Group.
Applicant is required to view home in person.
The questionnaire takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and we recommend that you double check the information that you provide to ensure there is no delay with your application for residency.
APPLYING FOR RESIDENCY IN WASHINGTON STATE
Effective June 7, 2012 Landlords who collect a screening fee from prospective tenants are required to provide in writing a rental criteria to the applicant, that establishes what consumer report information may result in denial of the rental application. In addition, landlords are also required to provide a written adverse action notice outlined under RCW 59.18.257. Adverse action could be denial of the rental application, or approval of the rental application with conditions.
SCREENING CRITERIA FOR TENANCY
Policies:
- All persons leasing an apartment, condo, or single-family residence must be of legal age - 18 years or older - to sign a contract.
- Provide photo copy of picture ID for each person 18 years and older.
- Incomplete applications, lies & omissions on application are grounds for denial
- The Joseph Group DOES NOT accept portable screening reports.
- View home in person
Income Requirements:
- The gross income to rent ratio to qualify is 3 to 1.
- Your monthly debts per the credit report plus rent must not exceed 45% of your monthly gross income.
- Applicants must have current, consistent and verifiable employment of at least 6 months. Please provide copies of at least 3 current, consecutive pay stubs; OR
- Employment of less than 6 months may be considered if it is the same position/capacity and in the same industry as previously employed; OR
- Self-employed applicants must provide previous 2 years tax statements and previous 3 months company bank statements.
- Retired applicants must provide previous 3 months bank statements indicating their monthly direct deposit OR, provide documentation indicating monthly income.
- Students without current income may be considered with a qualified co-signer who meets the income requirements and proof of student’s enrollment.
Verifiable Residency – Applicant may be denied for:
- Unverifiable rental history (applicants without rental history may be approved with additional deposit or co-signer if applicant meets the other requires in the screening criteria for tenancy)
- Unfulfilled lease obligation(s)
- Current or past balance owing for deposit, rent, fees or damages
- Eviction pending
- 3 or more late payments within a 12 month period
- 3 or more NSF checks within a 12 month period
- 3 or more complaints within a 12 month period
- Unauthorized pet(s)
- Unauthorized occupant(s)
- Damage to unit or property
- Relatives and friends may not acceptable rental references. Please explain if you are using either as a reference.
- Daytime phone numbers are required for rental references.
- If you do not have landlord references but have sold your home, provide a copy of the settlement paperwork. If you own a house that you are now renting, provide a copy of the lease agreement and your property manager’s contact information.
- Should the credit report come back with an “Address Discrepancy,” applicants must provide proof of their current address. Acceptable forms of proof include: driver's license or valid state ID, current lease or mortgage statement, home utility or insurance bill, or a pay stub dated within the past 30 days.
Credit Check
- Credit must be at least 60% positive overall.
- Applicants will not be accepted for the following derogatory credit records:
- Eviction and/or moneys owed to an apartment or landlord.
- Bankruptcies must be discharged 2 years prior to application as verified on the credit report.
Criminal Background Check
- Criminal screening will be made on a case by case basis, after analysis, and will be based on several factors and information. Landlord will review criminal records on a case by case basis considering the nature and severity of the criminal conviction and the amount of time that has passed since the criminal activity.
*CITY OF SEATTLE RENTALS – Under Seattle’s Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, SMC 14.09, landlords are prohibited from requiring disclosure, asking about, rejecting an applicant, or taking an adverse action based on any arrest record, conviction record, or criminal history, except for registry information as described in subsections 14.09.025.A.3, 14.09.025.A.4, and 14.09.025.A.5 and subject to the exclusions and legal requirements in Section 14.09.115
Applications are reviewed and housing decisions made based upon the qualifications of competing applications. Decisions are not made on the basis of the date the application was received unless required by City or State code.
Viewing of a property and completing an application is not a guarantee of you being accepted as a tenant. A property is considered rented when a lease has been signed and rent paid. A property may continue to be shown even if an application has been received.
Pets. Pets will be considered on a case-by-case basis. An additional deposit will be required.
Smoking. Smoking will not be permitted inside the property.
Vehicles. Recreation vehicles, trailers, boats, and inoperable or unlicensed automobiles, may not be parked or stored on the property, on or in any parking area provided for the property, or on any street or alley servicing the property.
Roommates. Each applicant must apply and be qualified individually with the exception of income requirements. Multiple Applicants may combine income in order to qualify. Applicants may qualify together, with Property Manger having the option to ask them all to vacate the premises if one roommate vacates. Tenant(s) may find a new roommate who qualifies. Tenant(s) will pay a $250.00 Roommate Review Fee to Property Manager each time a roommate is swapped.
If the information provided by the applicant in the following application is found to be knowingly falsified or untruthful, all deposits will be forfeited. If the application is accepted and the applicant chooses not to occupy the rental home being held, the applicant forfeits all deposits and no portion of it shall be returned.
If your application is denied the landlord is required to provide you with a written notice of adverse action that states the reason(s) for taking adverse action (RCW 59.18.257). Adverse action can be denial of your application or approval on condition (co-signer required, increased deposit, last month’s rent, increased monthly rent).
Refund and Cancellation Policy
Full payment is required at the time you submit your application. All screening fees collected are non-refundable. Application(s) for which a screening fee has been collected cannot be cancelled. Applicant understands that by submitting an application and providing payment information that there are no refunds or cancellation. Before submitting payment, the applicant should confirm with the landlord (property owner, manager or agent) that the unit is still available and have reviewed the prospective landlord’s rental criteria.
Dispute
You have the right to dispute the accuracy of the information in the tenant screening report. You have the right to a free copy of your tenant screening report. To dispute the accuracy of your tenant screening report or to request a free copy of your tenant screening report please submit your request in writing with a copy of your photo ID to: