Application Criteria

Updated January 2020

CSW Associates Roanoke, L.C. (CSW) complies with all federal, state and local laws including Fair Housing laws which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, familial status, disability, or any other protected status. 

APPLICATIONS:

All Applicants must meet the criteria for acceptance set forth in this Application Criteria (as determined in CSW’s discretion in accordance with applicable law) and be at least eighteen (18) years of age. All Applicants are required to provide either a social security number or documentation issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in accordance with Section 55-248.4 of the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.  The Application fee is currently $20.00 per applicant.

INCOME:

The following guidelines are used in determining sufficient income requirements for Applicants:

• Must have at least one type of income to provide on the application
• At a minimum, verified gross monthly income must be equal to or greater than two times monthly rent
• In the event of new employment, must provide copy of letter from new employer with firm offer and starting salary

If the Applicant(s) would not meet the above criteria, approved Applicant(s) have the opportunity to pre-pay the full rental obligation in order to satisfy the income guidelines.

CREDIT/BACKGROUND CHECK:

A credit and background check through a third-party company is performed on all Applicants.  Evidence of a history of poor or delinquent credit, absence of credit, absence of gainful employment or income to meet income requirements may be grounds for denial.  Judgments or collections that appear on the report may be cause for rejection of Applicant. Any Applicant with a bankruptcy must show a discharge more than one year ago and have established new credit with a positive rating with at least one account to be considered.

The credit/background check is valid for thirty (30) days from the date of the credit/background check.  The approval process is applicable to the type of apartment applied for (or smaller/less expensive).  An Application Deposit must be submitted within the thirty (30) day period, otherwise, the Application(s)/Application Fee(s) will have to be submitted again.  If the Application is approved and the Application Deposit is submitted, the Approved Applicant(s) must move in within six (6) months of the date the Application is approved, or the Application, associated documentation, and fee must be re-submitted.

** CSW reserves the right, at CSW’s discretion and expense, to require any occupant who over 18 years of age to provide

   necessary data and consent for a background check. 

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION:

Applicant must provide two years of employment history. CSW reserves the right to verify previous or current employment.  Gaps in employment should be explained in a written statement.  In the event Applicant has not yet begun employment, an offer letter from new employer must be provided.

RENTAL HISTORY:

Rental verifications are obtained from previous landlords relative to payment history, length of rental agreement, amount of rent, damages, and violation history. Any adverse information is grounds to reject Applicant.

INFORMATION VERIFICATION:

Applicant may be required to provide verifiable information or documentation to support application items. Documents may include, but are not limited to:  pay stubs, evidence of taxes paid in past years, current banking statements, personal identification, or confirmation of employment. Failure to provide any such documentation may be grounds to reject Applicant.

CREDIT/BACKGROUND CHECK:

Applicant(s) are required to submit to a background/credit check.  CSW reserves the right to require background checks for any Occupant who is 18 years or older.

CO-SIGNERS:

Co-signers may be accepted for those applications where the submitted application has deficiencies as determined by CSW.  CSW understands that the Co-signer may or may not live in the Leased Premises, but the Co-signer must execute the full lease and associated documents.  Co-signers must complete an application, pay the Application Fee, and meet all criteria for acceptance set forth in this Application Criteria and be named on the Lease Contract as a Lessee.  Income and credit requirements for a Co-signer are considered based on Co-signer’s total financial obligations.

APPLICATION DEPOSIT:

First-Come, First Served:  An Application Deposit of $600.00 is the only means to secure an apartment, and shall be done on a first-come, first served basis.  If the applicant elects to pay the Application Deposit prior to approval of the application, the Application Deposit will be refunded if the application is denied or if the requested type of apartment cannot be made available by the Specified Date (as described below). 

Application Deposits for Designated Apartments:  The Application Deposit will reserve a designated apartment for the later of up to fourteen (14) days from payment of the Application Deposit, or fourteen (14) days after the apartment is ready for possession.  If the Applicant fails to take possession, the Application Deposit is subject to forfeiture.

Application Deposit for an Undetermined Apartment:  If you have a requested future move-in date that is agreed to by CSW (the “Specified Date”), you may place an Application Deposit on a particular type of apartment (e.g. 2BR Electric).  Please note, for Chateau Riviera, a floor plan preference may be noted but is not guaranteed. If the requested type of apartment is subject to a wait list, then the Wait List Provisions apply. The Specified Date may be up to six (6) months from the date the Application Deposit is paid.  If CSW accepts such Application Deposit, CSW expects to make available the type of apartment as of the Specified Date and will notify the Applicant of the offered apartment prior to the Specified Date.  The Applicant must take possession of the offered apartment within fourteen (14) days of the Specified Date, or the Application Deposit is subject to forfeiture. If CSW is not able to make available the type of apartment by the Specified Date, the Application Deposit will be returned.

One-Time Deposit Deferral:  If you have a change in circumstance, you can apply the deposit to another apartment for up to six (6) months from the initial move-in date or Specified Date, to be used at either apartment community (i.e. Chateau Riviera or Brandon Point, regardless of which community was initially selected) assuming you otherwise qualify for the later selected apartment.  You must designate if you would like the Application Deposit to carry forward at the time you would otherwise initially forfeit the deposit.  The Application Deposit may only be carried over once and for a maximum of six (6) months and may only be used by the Applicant (i.e. it is non-transferable).

Form of Payment:  If the Application Deposit is paid within five (5) business days of the lease start date, then the Application Deposit must be paid in cash or cash-equivalent.

WAIT LIST:

See applicable Wait List policy. 

LEASE TERMS:

The standard initial lease term is twelve (12) months. A six (6) month lease term is available and subject to a ten (10) percent monthly premium added to the rental rate.  No other initial Lease terms are available.

OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS:

A maximum of two (2) people per bedroom in the dwelling unit as follows:

            1 Bedroom:      Maximum of two (2) persons

            2 Bedroom:      Maximum of four (4) persons

            3 Bedroom:      Maximum of six (6) persons

Leaseholder(s) must notify Landlord of any change in the household composition (such as the birth of an infant) during the term of the Lease, within fifteen (15) days of such change. Failure to provide a timely update is a lease violation.  If there is an addition that would take the dwelling over the occupancy requirements, Leaseholder(s) may remain in the Premises for the duration of the Lease, so long as that time period is not greater than six (6) months. Further, Leaseholder(s) may apply to transfer to a larger unit (assuming Leaseholder(s) qualifies) within either community that would meet the occupancy standards, if the larger unit is available, subject to both the timely submittal and approval of an application for the larger unit and the other provisions of the Transfer Policy and the Wait List Policy. 

ANIMALS:

CSW is an animal friendly community.  All animals are subject to CSW’s Animal Policies and Guidelines, including applicable fees and restrictions.     General information is as follows:  maximum of two (2) animals are allowed per apartment, a one-time initial per animal fee [non-refundable] that is required prior to move-in or introducing the animal into the apartment, monthly animal fee based on the type/size of animal, aggressive or poisonous animals are not permitted on the premises at any time.  Any animal with a bite history (or which demonstrates any aggressive behavior) is also prohibited. Only registered animals are allowed on the premises at any time (i.e. no “visiting” or temporary animals).  All animals are subject to review and approval.  Fees for any unregistered animals will be assessed to the beginning of tenancy. 

PERSONAL APPLIANCES:

Applicant shall be allowed to install and use any of the following of his/her own personal appliances with the express written consent of management subject to the Appliance Addendum:  range, refrigerator, dishwasher, stack washer/dryer. 

INSURANCE:

For leases that begin or are renewed on or after January 1, 2020, the Leaseholder(s) must carry renter’s insurance to insure against Leaseholder’s (or Occupant’s/Invitee’s/Guest’s) negligence or liability (including charges associated with animals).   Proof of insurance is required before possession will be granted.

3rd PARTY FEES:

Applicant is responsible for any applicable processing charges for his/her chosen form of payment on any amount due to CSW (e.g. Application fee, deposits, rent). 

Applicant is responsible for any and all charges (e.g. returned checks) associated with payments, or attempted payments, made to CSW.

Please be aware that there is a fee of $50.00 for any payment not honored by our banking institution.

CSW reserves the right to require cash or cash equivalent for any payment or amount due.