When you rent a Houston home or apartment through 360 Realty Management, you have assurances you are renting a great property through a process that protects your legal rights. The property management company, acting on behalf of area landlords, complies with all provisions of the Federal Fair Housing Act (FFHA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and state and local fair housing laws.
Getting Approved For Housing
When you put in an application for a property, 360 Realty Management offers an application to anyone who requests one and pays the $45 application fee. Unfortunately, not everyone who applies for housing gets it; you must qualify based on seven impartial factors:
- Income verification.
- Employment verification and history.
- Rental verification and history.
- Credit history.
- Criminal background check.
- Terrorist database search.
- Pet criteria.
The properties the company manages are available at fair market value, and your financial status and history must indicate your ability to pay rent and other apartment costs in a timely manner. You will not face discrimination based on religion, race, color, sex, age, handicap, family status, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. These criteria are considered protected classifications, where the law clearly prevents you from being turned down for these reasons.
Your Criminal Record May Not Disqualify You
While a past mistake that has left you with a criminal record does not necessarily disqualify you, the landlord has a right to know if you might be a threat to neighborhood safety and security. Recent rulings by the Department of Housing and Urban Development caution that landlords cannot use a criminal history as a blanket reason for refusing to rent property unless the offense involves the manufacture or distribution of drugs.
Landlords, and property management companies that handle their renters, should have policies that take into account the nature of the offense, when it occurred, and what the applicant has done since. Any policies must be uniformly applied to all applicants, or refusing to offer an application or approve a rental for a specific applicant could be considered a violation of fair housing laws.
Financial Criteria For Renting And Apartment
Renting an apartment is a business proposition, so verifying that you have enough income to take your obligations, and a track record of doing so in the past, is just good business for landlords. You must be able to prove that:
- Your income is at least three times the monthly rent.
- Your income is verifiable through paycheck stubs, savings account records, accepted job offer for transfers into the area, and, in some cases, tax records.
- You have met your obligations to past landlords.
- Your credit record puts up no red flags about your past and present ability and willingness to pay.
- When you need an apartment, your ability to pay is a key factor in whether you will be approved for property or not.
Working With A Property Management Company
If your income is not sufficient for a particular property, 360 Realty Management, which manages properties throughout the Houston area, might be able to suggest other properties that better match your financial picture. For more information on renting a place that won't leave you house poor, check out our application process or contact us at 281.859.5959.