Rental Application
NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS
Thank you for choosing Whidbey Residential Rentals, Inc. (WRRI) for your housing needs. We understand that there may be some confusion over the application process when applying for a rental property. We hope the following information will clear up many of your questions. Should you have additional questions, please feel free to ask us.
GENERAL INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
All occupants 18 years and older must submit application(s) for tenancy. At the time of application, all applicants will be required to pay the application fee of $55.00 per adult to Orca Information via the electronic application. If the application is submitted on a paper copy (can be provided upon request), payment must be made in the form of Cashier’s Check or Money Order (paid to Orca Information and provided to WRRI when applying), or credit/debit card information will need to be provided on the last page of the application. All information gathered in the screening report is obtained by and owned by Orca Information (800.341.0022 or www.orcainfo-com.com).
Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis. This means that all applications must be completed/submitted (including photo ID and proof of income) and the Holding Deposit paid. This is considered a completed application. We will begin working with the first tenant(s) to complete these tasks.
In the event an applicant has a sensory, physical, or mental impairment that limits a major life function or needs meaningful access to the application form (i.e. applicant needs a translator) and is not able to complete the application in a timely manner, they are able to make a request for a reasonable accommodation to extend their application submittal period up to 72 hours. Please submit your request with the requested timeline to complete the tasks, the reason for your request, and any documentation supporting the request to info@whidbeyres.com. Should your application be completed in all facets within the extended timeline, you will be considered “first in line.”
When an application is submitted, that is a confirmation that you have agreed to all terms (rent, lease length, deposits, pet policy, etc.). Also, WRRI requires a Holding Deposit approximately equal to 25% (or less) of one month's rent in order to remove the property from all advertising and marketing and to secure the unit until application(s) is/are approved. This payment can be made via the Online Portal, with a Cashier’s Check, or with a Money Order. NO CASH. Once your application has been approved and you have been notified, you are required to take possession (or “financial possession” – meaning rent and utilities) and sign your lease within 10 days, unless unit is not yet vacant or any other agreement has been made.
WRRI is required to dispose of all tenant credit reports not longer than 30 days from application date. All tenant screening reports will be kept on file for a maximum of seven (7) years and cannot be duplicated, copied, or released to anyone. Additionally, applicants with a credit score of less than 675 may be required to pay an increased Security Deposit (unless in Seattle, in which case your application may be denied) at time of lease signing. Please note: WRRI does not accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports and only accepts applications from our screening company (not sites such as Zillow or others).
WRRI RENTAL CRITERIA
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
A valid government issued picture ID required for all adult (18 years of age or older) occupants. Applications will not be reviewed until all applications are received from all adult (18 years of age or older) occupants (no exceptions). Applicant(s) acknowledge that Whidbey Residential Rentals, Inc. represents the owner of the property for which they are applying.
HOLDING POLICY
Applicant(s) will be asked to pay a Holding Deposit within 24 hours of applications being submitted. This can be paid via the Tenant Portal, Cashier’s Check or Money Order (made payable to WRRI). Should an applicant choose not to submit a Holding Deposit, they risk being “bumped” by applicant(s) who do/does place the Holding Deposit in addition to completed applications.
Please refer to Agreement to Enter into Lease & Receipt document for all other terms. Please contact us if you have any further questions regarding this policy.
CRIMINAL CRITERIA*
*Criminal criteria may be overridden by city, county, or state laws. For Seattle properties, we do not use criminal criteria as part of the approval process (other than Sex Offender Registry)
• Criminal history will only be considered where and how applicable laws allow
• History of criminal behavior may negatively affect approval (where allowable)
• Sex offenders with a lifetime registry requirement may be denied
• Criminal history will be reviewed (where allowable) on an individual, case by case basis and will include a variety of factors including the offense in question, age of applicant at time of the charge, length of time since final disposition, whether the offense presents a danger to persons or property, any rehabilitation, and other mitigating factors
CREDIT CRITERIA
• Applicants must have a positive credit history (typically meet a 675+ credit score, other factors considered)
• Applicants should not have more than 10% of lines of credit as derogatory
• Collection accounts being reported must be less than $500
• No open/non-discharged bankruptcies
• No money owed to or any collections from a landlord or Property Management company
• No unlawful detainer action or eviction history
• Renters with no established credit history (and/or rental history) may require a Guarantor
INCOME/EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA
• Verifiable income or other assets necessary to pay rent is required for all applicants
• Income must meet or exceed three (3) times the monthly rent
o Cosigners may be considered on a case by case basis and must have income that meets or exceeds five (5) times the monthly rent and must reside in Washington state
• Up to two (2) applicants’ income may be combined to meet income requirement
• Proof of adequate income (or reserves) to verify ability to pay rent on time throughout the lease term can be of the following types:
o Verification of employment and salary/wages by employer
• Two most recent paystubs (no more than 90 days old)
• Most recent LES for active military (no more than 45 days old)
• Self-employed will be required to submit last three (3) months of bank statements (must show name of bank, account holder name, statement date, summary of deposits and balances) AND the most recent year tax statement (W2, 1099, or first three pages of IRS 1040 form)
• Any additional sources of income that applicant(s) wishes to disclose (i.e. child or spousal support, trust income, financial reserves, etc.)
• Savings/Investment accounts with last three (3) months of statements (must show name of institution, account holder name, statement date, summary of deposits and balances)
• Examples:
o Monthly rent is $2,500
o Monthly income must be $7,500 (pre-tax)
o Savings must be $$90,000 minimum balance ($2,500x3=$7,500x12=$90,000)
• Alternative sources of income may be from a lawful, verifiable source other than wages, salaries, or other compensation for employment including, but not limited to Section 8 vouchers, social security benefits, charity programs, maintenance/alimony or child support, and/or any federal, state, local government, private or nonprofit administered benefit program
• In the event a voucher is presented which is less than the advertised monthly rent, applicant must provide proof of income for any remaining portion of rent as listed above
RENTAL HISTORY CRITERIA**
**In the city of Seattle, landlords are 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.
Also, we DO NOT consider any rental debt accrued during the moratorium (March 2020 through the expiration of the Governor's moratorium) per state and local laws.
• Applicants must have good rental/mortgage history for their current (and, if necessary, previous) place of residence to provide a minimum of two (2) years of residential history (rental history from a related party will not be considered sufficient to meet requirements)
• Applicants’ history should also demonstrate:
o Pattern of proper payment history (rent/mortgage)
o No more than one (1) NSF check in the last 24 months
o No notices for non-compliance with lease or other complaints
o No evidence of unauthorized persons or pets reported by current or previous landlord
o No unpaid past due rent or current/previous unlawful detainer action
o Should applicant still own home, but is leasing it to another party, a copy of the current lease agreement may be needed to qualify applicant on income
PET POLICY
• Pets are accepted on a case by case basis and final decision is left up to the owner
• Pets must be 30 pounds or less at full maturity (unless approved by the owner)
• Pets must be spayed/neutered
• Pets must be licensed
• Pets must be up to date on all required vaccinations
• Pets require a separate deposit and monthly pet rent
• Service/companion animals (those defined as providing necessary medical support for the benefit of an individual with a disability) require written documentation of the animal’s status as such submitted with your application
These links will take you to a separate browser window (for Orca Information, our screening company) that will allow you to submit your application. Please have a credit or debit card available to complete payment. Should you wish to submit a written application or pay with some other means, please contact the Property Manager. Thank you.
AFTER APPROVAL – LEASE & MOVE-IN
Once you have been notified of your approval, an Adobe e-sign lease will be sent to you approximately 3-5 days prior to your scheduled move-in day. You may also complete this in advance and in person should you notify management and request this option. Rent (and utility charge, if applicable) must be paid prior to possession given. Your Security Deposit funds must be paid at move-in day with AppFolio Tenant Portal or Cashier’s Check/Money Order.
Should you choose to pay rent with check or money order (no cash accepted by WRRI), you may do so by dropping it at our office (or in night drop, if after hours) or mailing it to our office. Should you choose to mail it, tenant takes responsibility for arrival date of said check.
On move-in day (or other agreed upon prior date), an inspection will be performed via iPad and photos will be taken. It will be executed and signed by all present parties. WRRI strongly encourages all tenants to be present. Should one tenant or all tenants not be present, you must provide, in writing, an authorized representative to perform the inspection and “speak on your behalf.” We do not allow any personal items to be stored or inserted prior to inspection. Also, please be prepared to offer utility account numbers and start dates. Move-in inspections and possession turnovers are scheduled Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Tenants requesting days or times outside of that schedule are at the discretion of the Property Manager.
Once your lease has been signed and move-in walk through completed, you will have digital copies of each available in your Tenant Portal and hard copies of both will be provided at your request, unless governed by law. You will then be provided with all keys, garage remotes, and other property details you may need to know.
Should you be renting a property in the city of Seattle, please see the Seattle Renter’s Handbook (https://www.seattle.gov/rentinginseattle/renters/moving-in/renters-handbook). You will also be provided a copy with your lease. As such, signing your lease implies that you have had access to this required document.
ALL LEASES REQUIRE RENTER'S INSURANCE WITH $100,000 IN LIABILITY COVERAGE AND LISTING WRRI AS THIRD PARTY INSURED
WHIDBEY RESIDENTIAL RENTALS, INC.
285 NE Midway Boulevard, Suite 2
Oak Harbor, Washington 98277
360.675.9596
info@whidbeyres.com
