Cosigners
In some instances, it may be necessary to have tenants with cosigners placed in owner’s rentals. If this is the case, it would be of the utmost importance to thoroughly vet and review both the tenant and their cosigner’s ability to afford the unit they will be signing for.
Pets
This is a highly debated topic in the rental industry. It is at the owner’s discretion to allow them in their units and leases. If the case does arise- First Lock requires a pet security deposit of $250 and an increase proportional to rent. When marketing the unit- we have found it is best practice to advertise pets as negotiable- this can help reach a larger base of renters and by deciding on a case by case basis can give the landlord a bigger tenant pool to choose from. When applying for a unit- the tenant will be asked to list all pets that may inhabit rental and the owner can make a decision based on number and size of pets.
Service Animals
Service animals for individuals with disabilities are not considered pets under Federal law, and it is prohibited to discriminate against disabled individuals who rely on service animals. According to Fair Housing legislation, owners or property managers are not allowed to request any deposits specifically for service animals. However, landlords can evaluate applicants with disabilities using the same criteria as other applicants, such as income, credit, and tenant history. If an applicant fails to meet these criteria, regardless of their disability status, the landlord or manager may deny the application.
MOVE-IN PROCESSES
Before move-in occurs the Lease Agreement must be executed , Utilities and services to be in their name (water,gas,electricity,etc) ,rent and Security Deposit must be collected and must have a valid copy of their renters insurance on file. A Welcome guide is sent to all residences with contact information and how to pay their rent.
