RentCafe Terms of Service

Resident Selection Criteria

Equal Housing Statement:  Apartment Services does NOT discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, handicap/disability, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition or any arbitrary basis. 

The following qualification standards will be required from every prospective resident:
 

Qualifying Standards:

Occupancy: Occupancy limit is two people per bedroom.  Unborn or children under 2 years of age are not included.  Defined active adult communities (Ivy Hall Apartments and Charlesgate Apartments) do not allow any occupants under the age of 18 years old and any leaseholders under the age of 55 years.

Identification: All applicants must present a valid, unexpired state or other government issued photo identification in order to view the community.

Application to Lease:   

• Everyone including minor children who will be living in the home should be listed on the application before submitting. Approved changes to the Lease after move-in will be subject to an additional administrative fee. 
• Each applicant 18 years and older must complete an ID verification during the application process. If approved, applicant will need to provide the valid, unexpired state or other government issued photo identification used during ID verification reflecting Date of Birth and Legal Name (Excluding Military Identification) and may be required to provide additional information if requested. If the information on your government issued identification differs from the information provided in this application, we will correct the information (to match the government issued identification) prior to submitting your application for approval.
• Each Applicant must use their own unique email address that is dissimilar to any other applicant when registering or inviting applicants. Applicants that have not been issued a social security card will be required to provide proof of legal immigration status (Unexpired I-94 Form and Visa).  Additional documentation may be required.
• Current residents of an Apartment Services community should advise Leasing Staff if applying for additional information.
• Previous residents cannot have an outstanding debt with an Apartment Services managed community.
• Applicants cannot occupy multiple homes at any Apartment Services managed community without prior approval.
• If a landlord requires from a prospective tenant any fees other than a security deposit as defined by MD Code Real Property Section 8-203(a) of this subtitle, and these fees exceed $25, then the landlord shall return the fees, subject to the exceptions below, or be liable for twice the amount of the fees in damages. The return shall be made not later than 15 days following the date of occupancy or the written communication, by either party to the other, of a decision that no tenancy shall occur. The landlord may retain only that portion of the fees actually expended for a credit check or other expenses arising out of the application, and shall return that portion of the fees not actually expended on behalf of the tenant making application. This section does not apply to any landlord who offers four or less dwelling units for rent on one parcel of property or at one location, or to seasonal or condominium rentals.
• If an application is submitted without providing any of the required documents as stated in this document, applicants will have 48 hours from written notification to provide the missing documents, or the application will be canceled. If any additional information is requested by leasing during the application process, the applicant will be provided with 48 additional hours from written notification to provide the necessary information.

Screening & Criminal: 

• Apartment Services utilizes a third-party agency, ScreeningWorks PRO to process applications. Any declined applicants will receive an Adverse Action letter indicating that negative records were found and the contact information of the agency that provided those records.
• Apartment services follow all state and local laws regarding credit screenings for income-based housing subsidy applicants.
• If Apartment Services is notified by the screening company of alerts, applicants may be asked to provide their Social Security Card, ID and/or a printout from the Social Security Administration office. If any additional documentation is required, the name must match the name provided on the photo identification used during the ID verification process.
•  If an applicant is determined to have an open bankruptcy, they may provide discharge (chapter 13 must be over 30 days) or dismissal paperwork.
• Apartment Services, Inc. does not accept “reusable” tenant screening reports as referred to in Maryland Code Section 8-218.

Income: 

• Applicants' monthly rent must not exceed 33% of their monthly gross salary, subject to Federal, State, and Local law. Proof of income must be dated within the last thirty (30) days.  
• Acceptable income verification required may include, but is not limited to; one (1) current paystub or a letter (on company letterhead) from current employer indicating salary and hours worked; previous year W-2 and/or profit and loss statement if self-employed; 1099 Form; proof of government assistance including social security, disability or income-based housing subsidies/voucher; retirement or pension income; investment income; bank statements; child support, unemployment or alimony. Additional information may be required.
• If you wish to be an applicant and are already a current guarantor at an Apartment Services managed community, you must income qualify based off the guarantor standards for the current home as well as the leaseholder qualifications for the current application in aggregate
• If you are an Apartment Services Inc. employee, please contact the leasing office before continuing with the application.

Guarantors: 

• Guarantors cannot be the primary leaseholder and should NOT be added to the application until requested by management. Once advised, you will add the guarantor’s contact information and invite them to apply via e-mail. If added prior to being notified by management and a guarantor is not needed, the application fee is non-refundable. Guarantors and not tenants and cannot occupy the home and will be held financially responsible.
• Guarantors will be accepted for all applicants that are lacking sufficient income or credit as noted above. Monthly rent must not exceed 20% of their monthly gross salary except when other state or federal standards apply.
• If you wish to be a guarantor and are already a current leaseholder at an Apartment Services community, you must income qualify based off the guarantor standards for the current applicant as well as the leaseholder qualifications for the current home, in aggregate.
• The guarantor must reside in the United States of America and meet all other qualifying standards.

Pets:  Pets are permitted only with prior written approval from Management.

• Non-refundable pet fee - One-time payment of $300.00
• Monthly Pet rent - $25 per pet
• Pets allowed: Up to 2 Cats, 1 Cat and 1 Dog* (less than 50 lbs) or 1 Dog* (less than 50 lbs) only.
• A pet photo and vaccination records must be provided showing all shots and vaccines for the pets are current.

Applicant/Resident must sign pet addendum agreeing to all terms and conditions. Fences are required for homes with dogs at Walnut Grove, Hilmar and Clifmar. A sample pet addendum is available upon request or can be viewed at https://apartmentservices.com/pets/pet.jpg

*Restricted Breeds (full breed or mix of): Pit Bull, Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler, Mastiff, Great Dane, Doberman Pinscher, Irish Wolf Hound, German Shepherd. Any dog of a breed that grows to be heavier than the property’s weight restriction of 50 lbs.

This criteria applies subject to Federal, State and/or Local law. Emancipated minors, by court order, may be considered for residency (court order required).