Frequently Asked Questions

The simple answer is there is no way for us to know before a complete application comes in, and we have processed all the information and have an answer back from the owner.

The property owners are looking at/for the following criteria in prospective residents as a basis to approve or deny an applicant.

Good Rental History – We look for verifiable rental history with a non-related Landlord. We are looking for on-time payments, no reported issues with the landlord, including unauthorized residents and/or unauthorized pets, damages, pest problems, etc. Proper notice will need to have been given to your landlord, and you cannot owe a balance. (Required)

Previous Evictions will result in an automatic denial. An exception may be made on an eviction over 5 years old with proof that the judgment has been satisfied at the owner’s/manager’s discretion.

Job History/Income – We are looking for the same source of income for a minimum of 12 months. We will need verification of a net income of at least 3x the rent. (For Example: If the home rents for $500 a month you would need to be able to show at least $1500 of income per month.) Income can be verified with a current pay stub that shows the YTD amount (and dated within the last 30 days), Bank Statements (3 months), or an Award Letter for monthly income from a government agency. (Required)

Background Check – We are looking for a clean background, having never been convicted of a felony, drug-related crime, or violent act. The owner may consider the severity and timing of a non-drug-related crime, violent act, or felony with a letter of explanation.

Pet Information – We will need a photo of the pet, along with current and up-to-date vet records that include the pet’s age and breed. We do not accept dogs that are on the vicious breed list. The owner of the property has to approve all pets. (Required) 

Credit – Personal credit is run, and the following items are considered: 

Number of Current and Paid accounts with no late payments

Number of Accounts with late payments

Number of Accounts in collections

Bad checks

Any address and job information provided on the report that does or does not match the information provided on the application.

Bankruptcy

Exceptions – If an applicant does not meet the criteria above, the owner may deny the application OR, in an effort to try to work with the applicant, they may ask for:

Co-signer/additional guarantor

Last Month’s Rent or a larger Security Deposit

Additional deposit or pre-payment of 2 or more months' rent in advance

Other Additional Consideration

Multiple Applications – There are times when we have multiple applications on the same property. All applications will be presented to the owner as they are completed. The owner has the final say on which application will be approved.

Completed Application – An application is not complete until we have all applications in, all application fees paid, proof of income in for all applicants, all pet info in, and the rental history back from your current landlord. Also, a completed application is good for 60 days and is good for any of our available properties.

Additional Information

If you are not truthful on your application, you will be denied.

(The items above are basic criteria and do not represent all scenarios.)

At Home is an equal opportunity housing provider, and no application will ever, under any circumstance, be denied, nor will a property be made unavailable because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

The state of Missouri requires no less than a 30-day notice to be given in writing to a landlord.  

We accept emails, texts, and written notices that are dropped off at the office and/or notices that are mailed to the office. The 30-day period runs concurrent with the pay period outlined in the lease agreement.  

Rent is due on the 1st of the month, so notice is due no later than the 1st day of the month, in order to end the lease at the end of that same month.

If you give notice after the first, the notice will go in for the end of the following month.

For example:

• Notice given on March 1st would be for an end-of-March move-out.
• Notice given on March 2nd would be for an end-of-April move-out.

Exceptions to this rule would be leases that call for a notice greater than 30 days.

When 2 (or more) parties enter into a lease, they become both jointly AND severally liable, meaning that the full amount is due on the due date and the rent is 100% collectible from one or all parties.  

It is up to the roommates to decipher how
the full payment is made. 

If one roommate pays half and the other(s) do not pay, the delinquent amount is collectible from ALL parties, including the roommate who has already paid half.  

Roommates should save receipts, rent split agreements, and payment records to use in small claims suits filed against the non-paying roommate if that becomes necessary. 

Each property is different, so you will need to look at the description of the property to see if the listing says No Pets Allowed or Some Pets Allowed with Approval and Pet Fee.  

If the listing says No Pets Allowed, then the owner is firm in that they will not allow pets.   

If it says Some Pets Allowed with Approval and Pet Fee, then that owner will consider pets. Please note any listed age and weight requirements.  This designation does not guarantee your pet will be approved.

You will always need to get a pet/service animal/ESA approved before bringing the animal into your home. 

All Residents looking to bring an animal into the home will be required to complete a profile on athome.petscreening.com (There is a $30 per pet cost or $0 cost for ESAs and Service Animal Profiles). 

If you are found to have an unauthorized pet, you will be charged a $800 unauthorized pet fee and may face eviction as it is a violation of your lease. 

A Service Animal / ESA is considered a pet until documentation of the disability related need has been turned into our office and a Service Animal / ESA addendum has been signed. 

Many owners will not approve a pet after the application process so if you know you are wanting a pet in the future let us know up front.

We are very sorry, but we do not accept 3rd party paments. This includes Section 8, OACAC, HSI etc.