Cynthia Gardens Statement of Rental Policy
Welcome to our community. Before you apply to rent an apartment, please take the time to review this Statement of Rental Policy. For the purpose of this document, the term “applicant” is defined as the person or persons who will be signing the Lease as the “Resident;” the term “occupant” is defined as the person or persons who are authorized as occupants under the Lease. Some criteria apply to the applicants only; other criteria apply to all occupants. An applicant must be 18 years of age or older to qualify as a resident. Please note that these are the current rental criteria for this community; nothing contained herein constitutes a guarantee or representation that all community prior to these particular criteria going into effect; additionally, the ability to verify whether these requirements have been met is limited to the reliability of information received from applicants and outside services used.
Equal Housing
Cynthia Gardens is an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider. We do business in accordance to the Federal Fair Housing Act and do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Additionally, we provide housing in accordance with all other state or local laws if those laws provide greater protection than the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Apartment Availability
Applications for apartment homes will be accepted on a first come – first serve basis and are subject to the availability of the particular apartment type requested. “Availability” does not necessarily mean that an apartment will definitely be available for occupancy by an applicant at the estimated date. “Available” apartments include those where a “Notice to Vacate” has been submitted by an existing resident indicating an intention to vacate on or about a certain date. Under certain circumstance, we will permit current residents who are not in default of their lease to withdraw or change their notice of moving. Other circumstances not necessarily under management’s control may also delay the date of availability of an apartment. In addition, an apartment may not be considered available because it is about to be placed under contract as an application fails to sign a Lease by the specified date, and then the apartment would again become available. Whether a particular unit or type of apartment is available can vary significantly within several hours or a day.
Rental Criteria
All applicants and co-signers must agree to the following by executing this Statement of Rental Policy and a rental application form: Applicant(s) hereby consent to allow Cynthia Gardens, through its designated agent and its employees, to obtain and verify credit information, including a criminal background search for the purpose of determining whether or not the applicant is eligible to lease an apartment. Applicant understands that upon leasing an apartment, Cynthia Gardens and its agent shall have a continuing right to review credit information, rental application, criminal background, payment history and occupancy history Faxed signatures are acceptable however; original signatures must be obtained prior to move in.
Income
The combined income of the applicant(s) is required to meet Cynthia Gardens’ minimum income criteria. The three types of income used to establish the income to rent ratio eligibility are employment income, other income and personal assets. Combined monthly income must be at least two point five (2.5) times the monthly rent.
Scoring of Your Consumer Credit Report
If all applicants’ combined income meets this property’s income requirements for the apartment in which applied for, Cynthia Gardens will proceed in running a thorough credit check on all applicants age 18 and older that apply for residency. Cynthia Gardens uses an expert statistical credit scoring system to evaluate consumer credit report. This information is compared to the credit trends of other consumers to predict how likely it is that the applicant will pay the rent in a timely manner and fulfill all lease obligations. Based upon your credit score, your application will be accepted, rejected or accepted on the condition that an additional security deposit is paid. If the application is rejected or is accepted with conditions, you will be given the name, address and telephone number of the consumer reporting agencies that provided your consumer information to us. An applicant rejected for unsatisfactory credit is encouraged to obtain a copy of the credit report, correct any erroneous information that may be on the report and submit a new application to this community for further consideration.
International Rental Criteria
In addition to qualifying under the terms stated in this Statement of Rental Policy, applicants from countries other than the United States, WHO DO NOT HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ARE TO BE PROCESSED MANUALLY (NOT THROUGH SAFERENT) and must meet the following criteria: 1. An original valid Passport showing raised notary seals and one of the following INS documents must be produced: • Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card (Alien Registration Receipt Card). Form includes photo and fingerprints. • Form I-688 Temporary Resident Card. Form includes photo and fingerprints. • Form I-688A Employment Authorization Card. Form includes photo and fingerprints. • Form I-94 Arrival/Department Record. Form includes photo and fingerprints. • INS Receipt for replacement of one of the above documents with verification by INS of entitlement to the above. Expired passports or INS documents result in an automatic decline of application. On the Application of Residency, the applicant is to fill in the Passport Number in lieu of a Social Security Number. 2. International applicants with verifiable employment are required to pay AN ADDITIONAL ONE MONTH’S RENT AS A DEPOSIT. Self-employed/unemployed international applicants with verification of income required to PAY AN ADDITIONAL TWO MONTHS RENT AS A DEPOSIT. 3. Acceptable verifications are: (a) Employed Applicants: A letter of employment from the applicant’s employer. The letter is to be on Applicants: Proof of income from an attorney, accountant, and/or letter from bank stating sufficient funds. All letters must be on official company letterhead, signed, and have the comparable to a notary seal on the letter. 4. All payments will be required in U.S. Certified Funds.
Hold Harmless Acknowledgement
Resident agrees that Management does not promise, warrant or guarantee the safety and security of a Resident, Resident’s family and occupants or Resident’s personal property against the criminal actions of other residents or third parties. Furthermore, Management shall not be liable for any damage or injury to Resident, Resident’s family and occupants or to any person entering the premises or the building of which the leased premises are a part, for injury to person or property arising from theft, vandalism or casualty occurring in the premises or the buildings; the term “premises” is defined to include any common areas, lakes and the surrounding area. Resident agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Management from all claims, costs and expenses arising from injury to person or property. Each Resident has the responsibility to protect him or herself and to maintain appropriate insurance protecting their personal property. Resident shall at all at times maintain Renter’s insurance including adequate fire, casualty and liability insurance to insure against the risks described above. Insurance coverage maintained by Management does not protect Resident from loss of personal property by theft, fire, water damage and other perils. Resident is responsible from maintaining appropriate vehicular or automobile insurance coverage.
Pets
Accepted pets are cats only. A $500.00 nonrefundable pet fee is required for the 1st pet and an additional nonrefundable pet fee of $300 for 2nd pet (maximum of two) must be paid in full prior to move-in. Pets will be subject to visual inspection and all community policies and you will be required to sign a separate Pet Addendum. Service animals assisting a handicapped person are allowed and no pet deposit or pet fee is required.
Criminal Background Checks
If the application is accepted or accepted with conditions, an extensive criminal background search, including but not limited to the applicant’s past two years of residency and the state in which the applicant’s driver’s license was issued, will be conducted. Cynthia Gardens performs criminal background checks in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Applicants’ signatures on the Application for Residency authorizes us to check not only applicants’ credit history but also any arrests or convictions. Applicants will be required to answer questions on the application stating whether they have been convicted of or arrested for a crime; and if so, what the crime was, when and where it occurred and the disposition of that charge. An unsatisfactory criminal background or check that results in pending charges will result in the denial of the application. However, not all crimes disqualify applicants from living at the community. Crimes that result in the denial of residency are those that pose a serious threat to the health, safety and welfare of persons living and working in our community. The application will be denied for any of the following reported criminal related reasons that have occurred prior to the application date: felony conviction, any terrorist related conviction, any illegal drug related conviction, any prostitution related conviction, any sex related conviction or listing on the sex offender registry, any cruelty to animals conviction, misdemeanor conviction involving crime against persons or property, any of the prior mentioned charges resulting in “Adjudication Withheld” and / or “Deferred Adjudication” and active status on probation or parole resulting from any of the prior mentioned reasons. Please be advised that this requirement does not constitute a guarantee or representation that residents or occupants currently residing in our community have not been convicted of or subject to deferred adjudication for a felony, certain misdemeanors or sex offenders requiring registration under applicable law. There may be residents or occupants that have resided in the community prior to this requirement going into effect. Additionally, our ability to verify this information is limited to the information made available to us by the resident credit reporting services used.
Fees and Deposits
In order to reserve an apartment home, applicant(s) must submit an executed application along with the following fees and deposits: 1.) A non-refundable application fee ($75.00) for each applicant 18 years of age or older for verification of information and credit approval. 2.) A refundable security deposit ($690). Applicant understands that an additional security deposit may be required based on credit agency requirements. If for any reason management decides to decline the application, management will refund the administrative fee and the security deposit in full. If an applicant is conditionally approved, but chooses not to sign a lease or take occupancy of the premises on the agreed date, management may retain the administrative fee and the security deposit as liquidated damages of rent lost and any expenses incurred due to the cancellation.
Occupancy
A family may occupy a unit if the family does not exceed two persons per bedroom, plus a child who is less than twenty four months old and who sleeps in the same bedroom with the child’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or person applying for that status. If the number of people applying for a single apartment exceeds the property’s guidelines, the application will be rejected for that particular size of apartment. If a resident, who has a child less than twenty four months old at the time of rental application or lease renewal, moves into an apartment that, once the child reaches the age of twenty four months, violates the occupancy guidelines, the resident is required to either (1) move into another available apartment which has more bedrooms leased at the current market rent; or (2) move out. Rent for the larger apartment will be the current market rent for that particular apartment. For the purpose of this occupancy policy, a “family” shall consist of the following persons: one or more individuals (who have not attained the age of 18 years) being domiciled with (1) a parent or another person having legal custody of such individual or individuals; or (2) the designee of such parent or other person having such custody, with the written permission of such parent or person. The term “family” shall also apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal custody of any individual who has not attained the age of 18 years. Our policy is to conform to local and state requirements to the extent that they require a different standard than stated here.
Notification Statutes
For your information, you may obtain (under state statutes: FL. §775.21) information about sexual offenders and/or predators in your state. The information can be obtained in all 50 states at http://www.openrecords.org, however, listed below are the states that Cynthia Gardens operates business: Florida — (850) 410-8572 or http://www.fdle.state.fl.us
Vehicles
Parking space is limited in our community. Each household is permitted two operational passenger vehicles. All motor vehicles must have current tags, inspection stickers and be registered with the office. All other vehicles are subject to tow. Commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles are not permitted.
Flotation Bedding Systems and Water Tanks
Flotation bedding systems (waterbeds) or fish water tanks over 50 gallons will be allowed on any floor only if a copy of the current renter’s insurance policy naming Owner and Manager as additionally insured is maintained in the resident file.
Utilities and Services
Cynthia Gardens pays for the following items: water, wastewater, trash/recycling, pest control, other. You’ll pay for all other utilities and services, related deposits, and any charges or fees, on such utilities and services during your Lease Contract term.
Electronic Check Policy
Cynthia Gardens reserves the right to utilize Accounts Receivable Entry (ARC) to process personal checks through the ACH (Automated Clearing House) system and is compliant with NACHA (The Electronic Payments Association) rules. These rules require that Cynthia Gardens provide residents and prospects the following notification: When you provide a check as payment, you authorize Cynthia Gardens to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. Cynthia Gardens will use information from your check to make an electronic fund transfer and funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you will not receive your check back from your financial institution.
Satellite Dish
We DO NOT allow the installation of a satellite dish.
