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Tenant Qualification Criteria

Applicant Requirements and Important Information

  1. Age Requirement: Applicants must be adults over the age of 18. Each adult in the household must complete an individual electronic tenant application.
  2. Reservation Fee: To reserve a home, you must:
    • Receive application approval from our office.
    • Personally view the interior of the home and agree to accept it in as-is condition.
    A reservation fee equal to the advertised first month's rent is required. This fee will convert to a security deposit after signing the lease and moving in. If you change your mind about renting, you will forfeit 100% of the reservation fee.
  3. Deposit Forfeiture: If you enter into a lease agreement and change your mind before taking possession, you will forfeit all deposit funds as liquidated damages. You may also be responsible for other terms of the lease as per Florida Statute.
  4. Application Fee: The application processing fee is non-refundable if you are not approved. Ensure you can qualify before applying.
  5. Lease Preparation Fee: Depending on the property, a $50 attorney lease preparation fee may apply.
  6. Homeowner and Condominium Association Fees: Some associations require a separate application, fees, and/or security deposit. All applicants may need to apply through the association, submit to an interview, and pay any required fees or deposits.
  7. Occupancy Standards: Current occupancy standards are a maximum of two persons per bedroom, with exceptions for minor children. Some municipalities or homeowners associations prohibit more than two unrelated adults from residing in a single-family dwelling. Consequently, South Florida Realty Management prohibits the rental of a single-family dwelling to more than two unrelated adults.
  8. Background Investigation: By applying, you authorize South Florida Realty Management to conduct a background investigation, which will include:
    • Review of credit report and score
    • Check of public records for past evictions
    • Verification of current employment
    • Verification of previous landlord references
    • Criminal background check
    • Review of local county civil and criminal public records
    • Comparison of applicant names with sex offender databases

    9. Qualification Criteria

    1. Income: Applicants must have a combined documentable income of three times the property's advertised monthly rent. We use an automated income verification system but may still require paper bank statements in some cases.
    2. Minimum Credit Score: Applicants must have a minimum credit score of 590. Residency may be denied due to poor credit history.
    3. Rental History: Applicants must have at least 12 months of verifiable rental history with no more than three late payments in the last 12 months, as reported by previous landlords. Applicants must have taken good care of the property.
    4. Outstanding Balances and Evictions: Applicants must not have an outstanding balance with a previous landlord or a rental eviction on their record.

    • Pet Policy

      We love pets! Many of our properties are pet-friendly. However, we do not accept animals over 30 lbs. Birds are prohibited. Some units will not accept pets for any reason. Approved pets incur a one-time non-refundable pet fee of $300 and a $25 monthly pet rent. Due to homeowner insurance restrictions, certain K9 breeds are not accepted. Please speak to a property manager about your specific pet(s). We reserve the right to deny any pet at any time for any reason. K9s resembling breeds such as German Shepherds, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Chows, or Rottweilers may not be accepted.

    • Pet Registration:

      Before tenant approval, if you are bringing a pet, please register your pet with PetScreening.com using our referral link. There is a nominal cost to register your pet unless you have a bona fide assistance animal. Submitting a reasonable accommodation request for an assistance animal is free and will be reviewed by PetScreening.com’s legal team.

    • Smoking Policy

      All rental units are smoke-free. Smoking inside a rental unit is cause for immediate lease termination, and tenants will forfeit all security deposits.

    • Renter's Insurance (Powered by MSI)

      Landlord Approved Renter's Insurance Plan, Powered by MSI

      All tenants must maintain property damage liability insurance on behalf of the landlord and property manager. Coverage is required in the amount of $100,000 for damage to the landlord's and third parties’ property. Tenants must name South Florida Realty Management as an "Interested Party" on the renter's insurance policy if they choose to buy their own policy independent of the program offered by MSI.

      Note: Landlords may carry property insurance, but tenant belongings are not covered. Tenants are responsible for repair costs due to negligence as stated in the lease. South Florida Realty Management offers a renter's insurance policy through MSI that includes personal liability protection up to $100,000, personal property coverage up to $10,000, and coverage for living expenses if relocation is necessary due to a natural disaster.