Screening Criteria for Portland Properties
Pacific Dependable Property Management LLC (referred throughout as “PDPM”) is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider and seeks to process all applications in a fair and consistent manner in accordance with current Oregon law, as outlined here: www.portland.gov/rso.
If you feel you might meet the guidelines for qualifying, we encourage you to submit an application.
Sight Unseen applicants: If the Applicants(s) application is accepted and they have not physically viewed the property prior to submitting their application, the property may not be viewed until the day of move in.
Reservation Deposits: Owner/Agents will require applicants to sign a Reservation Deposit Agreement and submit a reservation deposit if the move-in date is not within 72 hours of the Owner/Agent’s approval notification. Preference for accessible units will be given to applicants with mobility disabilities. If the applicant does not sign a Rental Agreement and take possession of the property, the reservation deposit will not be refunded, even if the applicant did not view the property before applying. Additionally, if the move-in date specified in the Rental Agreement is on or after the 15th of the month, both prorated rent and next month’s rent will be due at the time of move-in.
Application Process: A mandatory 72-hour waiting period must elapse before the Open Application Period begins, as noted in our advertisements. If you submit your application during this waiting period, it will be recorded with an 8-hour penalty. It is your responsibility to determine and track when the Open Application Period starts for the property you are interested in. We will process the first complete application that is submitted with all required information.
We will not process applications that contain materially incomplete information. Typically, your application will be processed within about 3 business days; however, this may extend if there are challenges in verifying information or unexpected delays. During the screening process, we may use tenant screening services, review credit reports, examine public and criminal records, and contact employers, landlords, or other references. We will also verify your income and the references provided in your application.
Choose your desired property; please note that we do not conduct pre-screening of applicants.
Complete the application form and submit the non-refundable application screening fee.
A government-issued photo ID is required, which must include your name, date of birth, and photograph. Applicants must meet one of the following criteria, unless otherwise specified by applicable law: (a) be at least 18 years old, (b) be emancipated, or (c) in Oregon, be a minor with the legal right to contract for necessities as defined by ORS 109.697.
Provide proof of verifiable income.
Complete the pet screening process as outlined in the pet policy section.
The first rent payment must be made within 24 hours of receiving the Welcome Letter and Lease Agreement; otherwise, PDPM reserves the right to cancel your rental application and proceed with another applicant.
We require that all information provided be complete, accurate, and truthful. Each individual over 18 who will reside in the home must submit their own application. Applications with materially incomplete, inaccurate, or falsified information may be denied. If, after you become a tenant, we find that you provided significantly false information about a criminal conviction, we may terminate your tenancy. You also have the option to designate a Financially Responsible applicant for the approval process.
PDPM will accept any of the following documents, or a combination of them, to verify an applicant's name, date of birth, and photograph:
Social Security Number (SSN) Card
Valid Permanent Resident Alien Registration Receipt Card
Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visa
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Any government-issued ID, regardless of expiration date
Any non-governmental ID or combination of IDs that reasonably verifies identity
Occupancy restrictions: Occupancy limits are determined by the number of bedrooms in the property. A bedroom is defined as a habitable space intended primarily for sleeping, with a minimum area of 70 square feet, designed to accommodate fire exit requirements, and meeting all relevant city and state regulations. The standard allowance is 2 persons per bedroom, with an additional occupant permitted. In a designated studio apartment, the occupancy limit is 2 persons. Exceptions to this policy may be made if required by law.
Screening Charge: Owner/Agent may impose a non-refundable application screening fee of $50.00 for each financially responsible applicant. This fee will only be refunded if the Owner/Agent does not process the applicant’s screening.
Screening Criteria: In addition to the criteria outlined here, the following conditions also apply. Failure to meet all of the specified criteria may result in an increased security deposit or denial of your application. If a co-signer is required, they must complete and sign a separate application. Acceptance of a co-signer is not standard policy and is subject to individual approval or denial by PDPM. The co-signer must reside in Multnomah, Clackamas, or Washington counties. Co-signers may only be considered for applicants who meet all screening criteria, except for income.
Income Requirements: The gross monthly household income must be at least 2-2.5x the monthly rent. This income requirement is based on the Portland Housing Bureau’s Rental Housing Application and Screening Minimum Income Requirement Table. All income must come from verifiable legal sources, which may include, but are not limited to, employment, bank accounts, alimony or child support, trust accounts, Social Security, unemployment benefits, welfare, and Section 8 or Home Forward vouchers.
If you are using employment income, a recent pay stub from your current employer is required.
For self-employed applicants, proof of income must be demonstrated through the previous year's tax return.
Applications will be denied if the income source cannot be verified or if you are unable to provide the necessary tax documentation. For non-financially responsible residents, income will not be a determining factor.
Section 8/ Home Forward: Section 8/Home Forward applicants must have an income that is 2 to 2.5 times the portion of rent they are responsible for. The specific income requirement will be based on the Portland Housing Bureau’s Rental Housing Application and Screening Minimum Income Requirement Table.
Rental / Mortgage History Requirements: Applicants must provide three years of satisfactory, unbiased references from their current and previous landlords, with references coming from individuals who are not relatives.
Current or previous rental/mortgage history with 1-2 late payments in the past 12 months may lead to denial.
Applications will be denied if there are three or more late rental payments, 144-hour notices, or 72-hour notices within the previous 12 months. Similarly, three or more late mortgage payments within the past three years will result in denial. Two or more NSF checks within a two-year period will also lead to denial.
Applications with insufficient rental/mortgage history or those from non-third parties will require an additional security deposit equal to 50% of the stated deposit amount.
A clean eviction history is required; eviction actions that were dismissed or resulted in a judgment against the applicant will not be considered.
Pending eviction actions that have not yet been resolved in the applicant’s favor at the time of application will result in denial, except for general eviction judgments related to claims that occurred between April 1, 2020, and March 1, 2022.
Rental history showing past due rent or outstanding balances will be denied, except for unpaid rent that accrued between April 1, 2020, and March 1, 2022, and is reflected in judgments or collections.
If current or past landlords fail to provide a reference within three business days or provide a negative reference, the application will be denied. Applications will also be denied if the rental history indicates lease violations.
Credit Score: Applicant(s) must have a credit score of at least 625. Credit scores 550 or under may be subject to immediate denial.
With the exceptions noted below, credit histories with negative reports will not be accepted. A "negative report" includes any non-medical and non-mortgage items that are 60 days or more past due, charge-offs, repossessions, settlements for less than the full amount, or garnishments. Negative credit will be subject to the following additional guidelines:
Criminal History: We will review public records to assess whether the applicant or any proposed tenant has been convicted of, or has pled guilty or no contest to, any crime, and/or if there are pending criminal charges. If the applicant or any proposed occupant has a past conviction that could disqualify them based on these criteria, they may submit additional information to the owner/agent along with their application. Owner/agent may conduct an Individual Assessment (as detailed below) upon receiving the public record search results and before making a denial decision. If the applicant is denied, they may request a review of their application. However, if the review request is made after the unit has been committed to another applicant, the unit will not be held. We will adhere to the legal requirements concerning the consideration of criminal offenses in the application process.
Conviction History: A conviction (including a guilty plea or no contest) for any of the following will be a basis for denying the rental application. This decision is subject to the review process described below.
Murder, manslaughter, aggravated vehicular manslaughter, negligent homicide, and Class A felonies related to arson, rape, kidnapping, and child sex crimes, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 12 years.
Class A felonies not listed above, including drug-related crimes, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, and burglary, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 10 years.
Class B felonies for drug-related crimes, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, and aggravated theft, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 7 years.
Class C felonies for drug-related crimes, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, burglary theft, criminal mischief, coercion, and animal abuse, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 5 years.
Class A misdemeanors for drug-related crimes, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, criminal impersonation, violation of a restraining order, criminal mischief, stalking, disorderly conduct, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of burglary tools, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 3 years.
Class B misdemeanors for drug-related crimes, person crimes, sex offenses, financial fraud crimes, and disorderly conduct, where the date of disposition, release, or parole has occurred within the last 18 months.
Individualized Review Process: Owner/Agent may engage in an individual assessment of the applicant, or other proposed occupants. Including:
Review all credit, criminal, and rental history for basis of approval or denial.
Review of supporting documentation presented during the application submission.
Supporting documentation may include: Letter from parole or probation office, caseworker, therapist, counselor etc. Certification of treatments/rehab programs. Letter from employer, teacher, etc. Certification of trainings completed. Proof of employment, and/or statement from the applicant.
Pet Policy: Not including ESA’s or assistive animals. (If allowed, see ad)
If the property you have applied for accepts a pet the security deposit shall be increased by $250 per pet and pet rent in the amount of $50 per month per pet will be applied to your Rental Agreement.
If Applicants desire to bring any pet onto the premises, then Applicants must first submit verifiable proof, from a veterinarian, that any pet over one (1) year old, has all current shots, all immunizations, is neutered or spayed, and is licensed.
Up to 3 pets are allowed upon approval unless otherwise stated in the ad.
50 Lbs. or under unless otherwise stated in the ad.
Additional Disclosures:
Applicants have the right to challenge the accuracy of any information provided to the Owner/Agent by a screening service or credit reporting agency.
Applicants also have the right to appeal any negative decision made.
A $250.00 fee will be charged for each incident of adding or removing a tenant during the term of your Rental or Lease Agreement.
Smoking is not permitted inside the dwelling. (Refer to the addendum if smoking is not allowed on the premises.)
Applicants will be contacted regarding the status of their application within 3 business days.
Applications will not be denied based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or familial status.
Upon approval, you must execute the lease agreement within 48 hours. An application is considered complete once all required documentation has been submitted to PDPM, all applicants over 18 who will reside in the home have applied, and all processing fees have been paid.
If your application is denied, you have 30 days to begin the appeal process.