Application Requirements
READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR APPLICATION
Premier Property Management requires that all rental applications be fully completed and all associated fees paid before submission for consideration. Incomplete applications or failure to provide requested documentation will result in the application being deemed incomplete and not eligible for review. Please ensure all information is accurate and up to date to avoid delays in processing.
ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKET
Online Application: All applications must be submitted through our website. We do not accept paper applications or from third-party sites, such as Zillow. Each adult (18 years or older), including married couples, who will be residing in the home must complete a separate application.
- Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $40 is required for each applicant, regardless of family or marital status.
- Identification: Each applicant must provide a copy of a valid photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, state ID, or passport).
- Pets not classified as Emotional Support Animals (ESA) must be approved before moving into the unit. We require up-to-date vet records for all pets. For ESAs, appropriate documentation must be provided to confirm their status.
APPROVAL PROCESS
Phase One: Initial Review
- Credit, Rental History, Criminal Background, & Animals: We review applicants’ credit history, rental history, and criminal background based on the criteria below. Any reasonable accommodation requests for emotional support animals (ESAs) or service animals will be processed and validated through our pet verification process.
Phase Two: Income Verification
- We verify income using recent pay stubs and bank statements. Please ensure these documents are up-to-date and submitted during the application process to expedite approval.
Phase Three: Final Steps
- Pay Security Deposit & Sign Lease: Once approved, you will have 24 hours to sign the lease and provide the first month’s rent and the security deposit.
HOW WE SCORE AN APPLICATION
Credit:
- All applicants must have a credit score of 650 or higher, with no more than three accounts in collections.
- Applicants with scores between 600-649 may be considered conditionally. In such cases, there must be fewer than three unpaid collections per applicant, a double security deposit will be required, and the applicant must demonstrate excellent income and rental history.
- We cannot rent to applicants with a credit score below 600. No exceptions.
- Applicants with no credit score will be required to provide a double deposit.
- All information listed on the credit report, including previous addresses and places of employment, is subject to verification.
- Any past due, negative debt, collections, judgments, or liens exceeding $10,000 will result in automatic denial, regardless of the applicant’s overall credit score.
- Applicants with an open bankruptcy case will be automatically denied
- Credit reports provided by applicants will not be accepted.
Rental History:
- Applicants must have at least one year of good, verifiable rental history (non-family) or homeownership immediately preceding the application date.
- A double deposit may be required for applicants with no rental history and no homeownership.
- The application will be rejected if the applicant has received evictions, small claims suits, or collections from any previous or current landlord.
- Applications may also be denied due to damages beyond normal wear and tear, illegal activity on the premises, or reports of non-compliance with lease agreements.
- A landlord reference showing two or more late payments or returned checks may result in either denial or a double security deposit at management’s discretion.
- Failure to return a security deposit due to damage beyond normal cleaning, failure to give proper Intent to Vacate Notice, or a broken lease may all be grounds for denial.
- If a current or former landlord is non-responsive or the contact information is not provided, we cannot consider that rental history in the application process.
Criminal History:
- Applicants with a conviction for a violent crime may not be accepted if the conviction occurred within the past seven (7) years.
- Regardless of the timeframe, no applicant will be accepted with a conviction for any of the following offenses: acts of violence (against a person or property), sex crimes, burglary, criminal trespassing, stalking, vandalism, arson, gang involvement, or the illegal manufacturing or distribution of drugs.
- In accordance with federal regulations, special accommodations may be requested for certain drug and/or alcohol-related convictions.
- Premier Property Management reserves the right to evaluate all criminal activity, including arrests, pending charges, and convictions, on a case-by-case basis.
Income:
- Income will be verified through bank statements and pay stubs.
- Applicants must demonstrate a combined monthly net income of at least three times the monthly rent.
- Liquid assets, investments, and other financial resources may be considered if verifiable. These applicants will be required to provide a double security deposit, a minimum credit score of 650, and proof of one year’s rent in liquid asset accounts.
- Smart Premier Property Management may waive income guidelines at its discretion if the applicant pre-pays rent for the full term of the lease.
- Applicants relocating from outside the area must provide verifiable documentation of future income upon relocating.
Other Information to Consider
Roommates:
No more than three unrelated adults are permitted in a rental home. Some properties may have stricter rules and may not allow roommates at all.
Co-Signers:
Co-signers will be considered case-by-case, depending on the applicant’s specific situation.
Pets, Service and Support Animals:
As part of our rental application process, all applicants must submit a pet/animal profile through a third-party pet screening vendor. This applies to any non-human animals that will occupy the home. For Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), please provide the required supporting documentation. If no pet or animal will reside at the property, you are still required to complete the profile, indicating that no animals will be present.
There is a fee for pet profiles, but profiles for service/companion/assistance animals and “no pet” declarations are free. A monthly pet rent and a refundable, one-time additional security deposit will be assessed based on the details provided in your pet’s application.
Please note:
Not all properties allow pets—please refer to the specific property listing. Pet acceptance is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Pets under one year of age are not accepted.
Only cats and dogs are permitted. We do not accept birds, hamsters, turtles, rabbits, ferrets, snakes, or other exotic animals.
Due to risk and insurance restrictions, Premier Property Management does not allow certain breeds of dogs considered aggressive or guard dogs. These breeds include, but are not limited to:Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Presa Canarios, Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Wolf-hybrids, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, Shiba Inus, and any hybrids or mixes of these breeds.
Behavior Qualifications:
Premier Property Management reserves the right to decline any applicant or request the removal of a pet who exhibits behavior that is evasive, abusive, harassing, or combative. Any behavior that leads us to believe the applicant cannot or will not comply with the rental agreement or the rules of residency may also result in application denial.
Monthly Administrative Fee:
A monthly administrative fee of $4.95 will be charged in addition to rent. This fee covers various administrative services provided during your tenancy.
Processing Time:
Applications are typically processed within 24 hours of receiving all required information. Please note that applications are processed on weekdays only and in the order they are received. All applications must be fully completed for all occupants to be considered.
Acceptance:
Once approved, you must sign the lease and pay both the security deposit and first month’s rent within 24 hours. Rent and utilities must begin no later than ten calendar days after approval, or when the property becomes available, whichever comes first. If you choose not to occupy the property after approval, all funds paid will become non-refundable as liquidated damages for taking the property off the rental market.
Key Pick-Up:
To receive your keys, all utilities must be transferred into your name, and proof of renter’s insurance must be on file with our office by the lease start date. The first month’s rent will be prorated and must be paid online. We offer a convenient contactless move-in. A code box will be left at the property, and you will be provided with the code, allowing you to move in at your convenience, including weekends. This streamlined process ensures flexibility while keeping everything secure.
Occupancy Limits:
We limit occupancy to two people per bedroom. These restrictions comply with all applicable fair housing laws. All properties are non-smoking, and some properties may not allow pets or roommates. Misrepresentation of any information on the application will result in denial.
Availability:
Properties are considered available when they are clean and ready for the next resident. Availability can change at any time. Applicants are responsible for verifying school boundaries and other neighborhood details.
Fair housing is the right to choose a home free from unlawful discrimination. Federal, state and local fair housing laws protect Montanans from discrimination in housing transactions such as rentals, sales, lending, insurance, or other housing-related activities. In Montana, fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on someone’s protected class status including age, race, creed, familial status, national origin, religion, color, sex, marital status, or disability. You have the right to choose your housing without facing discrimination.
