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Application Process

Our process is transparent, straightforward, and designed around one core principle: the people applying deserve to be treated like people. From the moment you submit to the day you get your keys, our leasing team is with you every step of the way.

Income requirements

At Pointe Grand, we qualify based on our Rental Criteria, not per person.

Rental Criteria

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Income requirements, explained

Do I qualify?

Multifamily generally requires 3x the monthly rent, but at Pointe Grand, you’re more than just a number.

2x-3x

gross monthly income vs. rent

Combined

household income, not per person

Worked example

2 people, $35,000/yr each 
Combined gross monthly income~$5,833
Qualifies for rent up to~$1,944-$2,916/mo

Don’t meet the income requirement on your own? Adding a roommate, a guarantor, or an additional security deposit can help close the gap.

Pointe Grand generally requires a combined gross monthly household income of 2x to 3x the monthly rent, not per person. Most communities qualify well within this range for two qualifying incomes. A credit and background check is part of the application process. Splitting rent with a roommate can also make qualifying easier.
  • Application fee (per applicant, non-refundable). Ask your leasing team about same-day tour-and-lease promo codes.
  • Security deposit (based on credit profile). Deposit alternative programs may be available.
  • First month’s rent (prorated if mid-month move-in)
  • Pet fee + monthly pet rent (if applicable)

How proration works: Rent is prorated based on your move-in day. For example, if you move in on the 7th, you’ll pay prorated rent for the remaining days of that month. If you move in on the 26th, you’ll pay just a few prorated days. Because your move-in date falls on or after the 25th, the following month’s full rent is also due at move-in.

Ask your leasing team about current concession trade-out options that may reduce your upfront cost.

Your leasing team provides a full cost breakdown before you sign anything. Questions? Call our Contact Center.

Screening, explained

How does screening actually work?

4

factors reviewed together

Human

reviewed, not algorithm denied

What we evaluate

No single factor is the whole story. Tap any factor above for details on what we look at.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to apply. Everyone 18 and older who will reside in the apartment must complete an application.

Automated screening tools gather information, they don’t make our decisions. We don’t just let an algorithm deny your application. Our team looks at the whole picture and understands that life can throw unexpected challenges that may affect your credit and financial future. A flag is not a verdict, it’s a question that deserves a human answer.
Our screening process goes beyond the standard to create opportunities for applicants who may have lower credit scores or higher debt from things like overdue medical bills, outstanding student loans, repossessions, or past eviction struggles. We offer a secondary, detailed screening review, a true second-chance path that provides more move-in options and helps you find the home you deserve.

The Application Journey

What’s the process?

From the moment you apply to the day you get your keys, our leasing team is with you every step of the way.

  1. 1

    Complete Application

    Provide income and rental documentation to finalize your application.

  2. 2

    We review

    Your income, credit, rental history, and criminal background together, so if anything gets flagged, it goes through a personal review instead of an automatic rejection.

  3. 3

    Determination

    You will receive an email confirmation on the results of your application. The leasing team will reach out to you for next steps. Questions before then? Call our Contact Center.

Some applications move at different speeds since they could go through our secondary review. Your leasing team can give you a specific expectation for your application once it’s submitted. Contact your community’s leasing office for more info.

What is a Guarantor?

A guarantor is someone who agrees to take on financial responsibility for the lease if the applicant is unable to meet their obligations. Guarantors must meet all standard screening requirements, maintain excellent credit, and demonstrate income of at least 5x the monthly rent. Unlike a co-signer or roommate, a guarantor does not need to live in the unit.

Income

We review gross monthly household income against the rent, generally requiring 2x to 3x the monthly rent combined across all applicants, not per person. Income can be verified through pay stubs, W-2s, offer letters, or consistent bank deposits. If your income alone doesn’t meet the requirement, a roommate, a guarantor, or an additional security deposit may help.

Credit History

We review your overall creditworthiness, including payment history, outstanding obligations, collections, charge-offs, repossessions, foreclosures, current delinquencies, bankruptcies, and rental-related debt. Credit history is evaluated individually. We consider the age, severity, and resolution of adverse credit information, along with any mitigating circumstances, rather than relying on a single score.

Rental History

We review your prior rental and occupancy history, including past evictions, unpaid balances owed to a previous landlord, lease violations, and the accuracy of the information provided in your application. Come prepared with contact information for prior landlords. A direct reference speeds up the review.

Criminal Background

Criminal history is reviewed on an individualized basis for every applicant age 18 and older. We consider the nature, severity, and recency of any conduct, along with all relevant circumstances. This may include convictions involving violence, threats to safety, significant property damage, fraud, or other conduct that presents a legitimate risk to people or property. All screening is applied in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Strengthen Your Application

01 Guarantors/Co-Signers

A co-signer or roommate shares equal responsibility for the lease from day one and typically has the right to occupy the unit. A guarantor only steps in if you default, and doesn’t live there. If your credit or income falls short of Pointe Grand’s requirements, either option can strengthen your application.

02 Prepare Your Rental References

Contact past landlords before you apply. Give the leasing office direct names and numbers, not a generic corporate line. If you have a prior issue, a brief honest explanation beats a surprise every time.

03 Check Your Credit First

Pull your report from all three bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian, before you apply. Pay off any small outstanding collections and bring the receipt. A thin file is not a dealbreaker, an unexpected one is.

04 Move Fast

Units go first-come, first-served. Have your ID scanned and your documents ready before you start. One missing item can pause your application while someone else moves ahead.

05 Flex Payments

Instead of paying your move-in costs in one lump sum, flexible payment options let you split upfront costs like your security deposit or move-in fees into smaller installments. Ask your leasing team which flex payment options are available at your community.

Three people smiling and looking at a brochure with a photo of a house on it inside a brightly lit room.

Don’t Qualify? Here Are Your Options.

If your base application needs support, there are three defined tools available, each with a specific scope and limits. Knowing them upfront is what makes this process different.

Income gap

Guarantor

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Income gap

Guarantor

A guarantor takes on financial responsibility if the applicant defaults. Guarantors must meet all standard screening requirements, have excellent credit, and earn at least 3x the monthly rent. They do not need to live in the unit.

Credit history

Additional security deposit

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Credit history

Additional security deposit

Applicants with no credit, limited credit, or marginal credit may be approved with an additional security deposit. A thin credit file is not a closed door — it is a different path to the same outcome.

Timing flexibility

Flexible lease terms

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Timing flexibility

Flexible lease terms

Lease lengths from 7 to 15 months are available, or longer depending on the community. Life does not always fit a 12-month box. These options are designed to accommodate that.

Application FAQ’s

Do you accept self-employed applicants?

Yes. If you’re self-employed, come prepared with your last two years of tax returns to verify your income. This gives our leasing team a clear picture of your earnings and helps your application move through the review process without delay.

Is there a co-signer or guarantor policy?

Yes! A guarantor may qualify on an applicant’s behalf if they meet standard screening requirements, have excellent credit, and earn at least three times the monthly rent. Guarantors do not need to live in the unit.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Pay stubs, your most recent W-2, offer letter and or bank statement showing consistent deposits. This makes the income math clear for the reviewer and helps avoid delays.

Can I qualify with limited or no credit history?

Yes. Applicants with no credit, limited credit, or marginal credit may still be approved with an additional security deposit. A thin credit file isn’t a disqualifying factor.

How does the criminal background review process work?

Each record is reviewed individually based on defined criteria. Specific disqualifying categories are published in the rental criteria and available to review before applying

READY TO DISCOVER

The Pointe Grand Difference?