Know what to expect before you apply

• A complete application

  A complete application is required for each adult (18 years of age or older). If a line isn't filled in, or the omission explained satisfactorily in the application, we will return the application to you.

  A prospective tenant who provides materially false information on the application or omits material information requested is liable to the landlord for damages, plus a civil penalty of up to $500, civil court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. [Minn. Stat. § 504B.173, subd. 4 (2023)]

• Rental history verifiable from unbiased sources.

  Applicants should provide rental history from unbiased sources when available. Lack of rental history by itself will not result in denial. Applicants who previously owned their home may submit mortgage references and proof of ownership or transfer instead.

  It is your responsibility to provide us with the information necessary to contact your past landlords. We reserve the right to deny your application if, after making a good faith effort, we are unable to verify the rental or ownership history you provided, or if materially relevant information was omitted or misrepresented.

• Sufficient income/resources.

  Verified gross monthly income should generally be at least three times the monthly rent.

  Applicants who do not meet this standard may request an exception by providing documentation of a history of successful rent payment at the same or lower income-to-rent ratio for a comparable rent amount, as required by St. Paul law.

  Applications may also be denied when the combination of proposed rent, estimated utilities, and documented minimum monthly debt payments exceeds 40% of verified gross monthly income.

  Income documentation must be capable of independent verification. Applicant-provided documents may be considered, but we may require direct verification from the employer, income source, financial institution, tax records, or another reliable third party.

  If we cannot independently verify the amount and stability of your income, the application may be denied. If self-employed, we may require materials such as a business license, tax records, bank records, or client references that can be independently confirmed.

  Some employers use a third party service, like WorkNumber, to provide income verification. These third parties charge landlords $60 or more per report. If your employer uses a third party to provide employment and income verification you have to pay their fee in advance or provide another way to independently verify the amount and stability of your income.

• Each adult must qualify

  One application shall be filled out for each adult occupant.

  Each adult applicant must individually qualify on their own. We will consider the combined income of the household and co-applicants only if there is a verifiable obligation of support between co-applicants (i.e. married couple, guardian and ward, etc.)

• Maximum occupancy

  The maximum allowed occupancy is two people per bedroom, and up to four unrelated adults per unit. Some City ordinances may have additional restrictions.

• Two pieces of I.D. must be shown.

  We require a photo I.D. (a driver's license or other government issued photo identification card) plus a second piece of I.D. as well. Please present your I.D. with your completed application or at other such time as directed by Lotts Properties.

• False information is grounds for denial.

  You will be denied rental if you misrepresent any information on the application. If misrepresentations are found after a rental agreement is signed, your rental agreement will be terminated.

• Certain criminal convictions may result in denial of your application.

  We review criminal convictions only to the extent permitted by St. Paul law. Convictions may be considered only for the types of offenses and lookback periods allowed by law. Examples include:

  • Federal controlled-substance manufacturing or distribution convictions under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)
  • Convictions requiring lifetime sex-offender registration
  • Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors with a sentencing date within the past 3 years
  • Felonies with a sentencing date within the past 7 years
  • Certain felony offenses with a sentencing date within the past 10 years, as allowed by St. Paul law

• Certain court judgments against you may result in denial of your application.

  We review eviction and court-judgment history only to the extent permitted by St. Paul law. Eviction judgments entered within the past 3 years may result in denial.

  Unpaid landlord judgments, unpaid housing-related collections, and unpaid utility collections may result in denial. We do not use general financial delinquency by itself as a screening criterion.

• Housing-related and utility credit obligations may result in denial of your application.

  We do not use a numeric credit score by itself as a screening criterion. Instead, we review objective housing-related and utility payment history.

  One or more unpaid housing-related collections may result in denial.

  One or more unpaid utility collections may result in denial.

  Any unpaid landlord judgment may result in denial.

  In the last 24 months, 2 or more housing-related or utility accounts that were more than 60 days late may result in denial.

• Poor references from previous landlords may result in denial of your application.

  You will be turned down if a previous landlord would be disinclined to rent to you again because of late payment or non-payment of rent or for any reason pertaining to any lease-violating behavior of yourself, your pets, or others allowed on the property during your tenancy.
  
  Also, you will be turned down if previous landlords report significant complaint levels of noncompliance activity such as repeated disturbance of the neighbors' peace; reports of prostitution, drug dealing or drug manufacturing, damage to the property beyond normal wear; reports of violence or threats to landlords or neighbors; allowing persons not on the lease to reside on the premises; failure to give proper notice when vacating the property.

• There is a $55.00 per adult screening fee.

  See the screening fee refund criteria below for when the fee is refundable.

• Rent and other payments via ACH

  Rent and all other payments will be collected by ACH automatic withdrawal from a checking or savings account on the 1st of each month. Refusal to pay via ACH will result in your application being denied.

• We will accept the first qualified applicant.

  Rental applications are processed in the order they are received. We will accept the first qualified applicant.

It is our policy to apply all screening criteria in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local law. Because these laws may change from time to time, this page may not immediately reflect every legal update. No provision on this page shall be interpreted or applied in a manner that conflicts with applicable law. If a conflict arises, the lawful interpretation most consistent with the remainder of these screening criteria shall control.