Blog Post

Screening Policy

By Applicant submitting a signed Application they acknowledge and agree to the following:

Owner and management desire to provide well-maintained and well-kept property for the benefit of all residents. Screening criteria herein are adopted with the intent of maximizing the ability to provide safe housing for residents, managerial staff, the property and neighbors. Screening criteria herein are also intended to minimize liability risks, the costs of insurance, maintenance and repairs to the premises. Screening shall be designed to provide housing to individuals who do not constitute or pose an unreasonable risk of direct threat to persons and/or property of physical harm and/or adverse housing environment. Owner and management agree to limit screening of conviction history to serious offenses against persons and/or property.

WPM does not accept comprehensive, reusable tenant screening reports made available by a consumer reporting agency.

A separate application for each adult (18 years of age or older) must be completed.

APPLICATION FEE

Application fee of $30 per person will not be refunded. An additional $50 non-refundable, administrative fee will be charged as a move-in cost (charged once at move in--not per person).

FAIR HOUSING

To ensure all requirements of the fair housing law are met, all applicants will be processed in the order received. The first applicant to meet the requirements will be offered the unit. All applications will be screened subject to limitations found in RCW 19.182.040.

PET SCREENING

PET SCREENING IS A REQUIRED PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ALL APPLICANTS (No Pet/Pet/Animal): Please get started by selecting a profile category on our landing page. Copy and paste the following link in another tab: https://wpmwallawalla.petscreening.com/

PROVIDE VALID ID

Valid ID must be provided. You will be prompted to attach a copy of your valid photo ID (driver’s license or other government issued photo identification card) at the end of this Application. See list of acceptable identification at the end of the Application.

SUFFICIENT INCOME/RESOURCES

Applicant is required to disclose an employer or income source providing adequate funds to support the rental applicant. x3 income to tenant portion of rent is required, unless you receive housing assistance in which case the amount of your income is discounted in terms of qualifying your application. You will be prompted to attach evidence of your income/resource at the end of the Application.

DENIAL OF APPLICATION

Applicant understands that all properties are non-smoking. Smokers will be denied.

Incomplete applications will be denied. If a line isn’t filled in, or the omission explained satisfactorily, your application will be denied. False information is grounds for denial. Applicant will be denied rental if they misrepresent any information on the application. If misrepresentations are discovered after a rental agreement is signed, the agreement will be terminated due to lack of mutual assent.

Criminal convictions for serious crimes against persons or property, drug manufacturing and/or drug distribution will result in denial of Application. With the exception of a drug manufacturing and/or distribution conviction, all other convictions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration the following: the nature and severity of the conviction, the amount of time that has elapsed since the conviction, the facts or circumstances surrounding the criminal conduct; the age of the individual at the time of conviction; restitution; and/or evidence of treatment and/or rehabilitation efforts.

A credit score of 649 and below will be denied. Certain court judgments may result in denial of an application. If, in the last 5 years, any judgment has been entered against Applicant for or as a result of Applicant’s financial delinquency, the application will be denied.

RESIDENTIAL HISTORY

Please provide 2 years of residential history (*not needed on co-signer applications*). Rental history verifiable from unbiased sources. Applicants with no rental history or negative rental references may be denied. If you are related by blood or marriage to one of the previous landlords listed, or you do not have at least six months of favorable *rental (please see eviction history below) or mortgage history, we may require a qualified co-signer on your rental agreement and/or an additional security deposit. Qualified co-signers must have a credit score of at least 750.

EVICTIONS HISTORY

*This section only applies to the period prior to March 1, 2020 and the period after April 30, 2022: If Applicant has been evicted from any other property the application will be denied. Applicants with negative rental history will be denied. Poor credit references from previous Landlords may result in denial of application. Applicant will be denied if previous Landlords report significant complaints of noncompliance such as, but not limited to, the following: failure to pay amounts owed; disturbance of the neighbors’ peace; damage to property beyond normal wear; or failure to give proper notice when vacating the property.

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Full Service Management

May 26, 2023

Established in 2005 Windermere Property Management exclusively manages properties with the focus of preserving and enhancing the value of investment properties. We provide professional management for single family, multi-family and commercial units. Our full service management allows owners to focus on other aspects of their investment portfolio, while ensuring that their properties are well-managed and profitable. EXPERIENCED TEAM Our staff includes four licensed real estate brokers with 30 years combined experience. You also have access to our in-house maintenance company that employs a handyman, landscaper, residential and commercial cleaners as well as on-call staff for after-hours emergencies. SERVICES FOR OWNERS ❱ Marketing: WPM markets your rental online and distributes to our pool of pre-qualified applicants. Each property receives a “for rent” sign in the yard and a 3D virtual tour. ❱ Tenant screening: We professionally screen applicants, negotiate lease terms, collect deposit/rent/fees, sign lease/addenda and complete move-in walkthrough with tenant. ❱ Rent collection: We collect rent and any applicable fees from tenants on behalf of the property owner and ensures that rent is paid on time. ❱ Maintenance and repairs: We have an in-house maintenance team to handle service and repairs for rental properties or we coordinate with contractors to ensure that the property is well-maintained. ❱ Property inspections: We complete the move out walkthrough, coordinate any work such as cleaning and repairs. Additionally, we conduct annual interior inspections on each property. ❱ Lease management: Throughout the lease of your property, we handle lease agreements, including renewals and terminations as well as handle tenant inquiries/concerns on your behalf. ❱ Financial reporting: Owners have 24/7 online access to copies of monthly cash flow statements, paid invoices, copies of leases, and other important documents. Owners also have the ability to make an owner contribution via their portals.

Preparing and Maintaining Yardcare

May 26, 2023

PRIOR TO RENTAL YARD SHOULD

Payment and Management of Utilities

May 26, 2023

CITY OF WALLA WALLA & COLLEGE PLACE

Steps To Renting Your Home

May 26, 2023

GETTING READY TO RENT

Preparing Your Property For Lease

May 26, 2023

It’s important that your property be well maintained not only to increase the value and maintain your investment but to set the bar for care by future tenants.

Recommended Pet Policy

May 26, 2023

Pet ownership statistics show ownership levels have reached new highs during the past couple of years. The American Pet Products Association found that 70% of households own a pet, a significant increase from 1988 when 56% of households owned a pet. Additionally, there are approximately 500,000 service animals in the us and nearly 200,000 emotional support animals, up from merely 2,400 in 2014. Pet ownership and the use of service and support animals continues to rise through the US. A trend we see here in our local community as well.

New Tenant Move In

May 26, 2023

We will choose the first approved applicant, based upon our tenant screening policies. The unit is taken off the market when the approved applicant has signed the pre-lease holding agreement and the lease agreement, as well as paid the holding deposit. If the applicant decides not to rent the unit, they waive the holding deposit which is then paid out to the owner as income. If the applicant moves in as agreed upon, the holding deposit is transferred and becomes part of the applicant's refundable security deposit. WPM will assure completion of a signed move in condition form, documenting the condition of the home at time of move in. This form is required in the State of Washington if you deduct any repairs, yardwork or cleaning from the tenant's refundable security deposit upon move out. WPM retains a copy of the signed move in condition form.

Marketing Your Property

May 26, 2023

Windermere Property Management has a comprehensive approach to marketing your property, to provide the best exposure to the most qualified potential tenants. This process starts by helping you prepare your property so it makes a good first impression, attracting good tenants, reducing time on the market, and obtaining the best rental price.

Property Repairs and Maintenance

May 26, 2023

You have access to our in-house maintenance company that employs handymen, landscapers, residential cleaners as well as on-call staff for after-hours emergencies or we can coordinating with outside vendors to ensure that the property is well-maintained.