Valley Homes
For future residents
North Alabama
Resident selection criteria.
What applicants need to qualify, how qualified applications are compared, and what happens after a decision is made.
Non-refundable, per adult
After the household file is complete
Each adult occupant applies
01 / Before you apply
A complete application.A clear starting point.
- Every person age 18 or older who will live in the property must complete, date and electronically sign an individual application and pay the nonrefundable $65 application fee. This includes adults living with a parent or guardian.
- Each applicant must provide a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of income and the financial documentation requested through Findigs. Applicants may be permitted to securely link an account or submit acceptable supporting documentation.
Processing will not begin until every adult applicant has completed and paid for the application and all required documentation has been received. Valley Homes will continue accepting and processing applications until a lease has been signed.
Minimum qualification standards
A complete picture.Clear requirements.
Valley Homes reviews the complete household application. All mandatory documents must be submitted and the entire application packet will be reviewed to determine approval.
02 / Income
3xthe monthly rent
Required gross household income
The household's combined gross monthly income must equal at least three times the monthly rent. Income below three times the rent does not meet the minimum requirement.
All income used to qualify must be verifiable. At least one leaseholder must have 12 months of verifiable employment or income history.
Self-employed applicants may be required to provide tax returns, 1099s, bank statements or other acceptable documentation.
03 / Credit
650+
Credit or resident screening score
Valley Homes targets a credit score of 650 or higher. An applicant below 650 may still qualify when the overall credit profile shows satisfactory payment history and no significant negative history.
The complete credit profile is reviewed, including payment history, collections, judgments, bankruptcies and other indicators of financial responsibility.
Applicants with collection accounts will be asked to provide an explanation and may be required to submit supporting documentation.
A credit score alone does not determine the result.
History and property requirements
History. Animals.Occupancy.
04
Rental and
eviction history
Rental or mortgage history will be reviewed when available. Applicants without two years of verifiable history may still qualify based on the remainder of the criteria.
History should reflect timely payments, proper notice to vacate, compliance with lease terms and no unpaid housing-related balances or documented property damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
A verified eviction filing associated with an applicant will result in denial, regardless of the final disposition. Applicants who believe a screening record is inaccurate may dispute it directly with the screening provider.
05
Background
screening
Criminal-history information is gathered and evaluated by a third-party screening provider in accordance with applicable fair-housing requirements.
Relevant conviction records may be considered based on the nature and severity of the conduct, the time elapsed and its relationship to the safety of residents, staff or property. Additional information may be requested before a final decision is made.
Applicants subject to a lifetime sex-offender registration requirement will not qualify.
06
Animals and
occupancy
Animals are permitted only with prior written approval and are subject to the property's established animal requirements and any applicable animal-related fees, deposits or monthly charges.
Service animals and assistance animals are not subject to the property's animal preferences or animal restrictions. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated in accordance with applicable fair-housing laws.
Occupancy is generally limited to two persons per bedroom, subject to the property's size and configuration and applicable federal, state and local requirements.
Property fit and final determination
How qualified applicationsare compared.
When more than one application qualifies for the same property, Valley Homes will provide the property owner with a summary of each qualified application. The owner makes the final selection.
07 / Review and owner selection
Meeting the minimum criteria
does not guarantee selection.
The owner may compare these property-related factors:
- Verified income and overall financial qualifications
- Credit and resident screening results
- Rental and payment history
- Completeness and verifiability of the application
- Ability to begin the lease on or near the advertised availability date
- Requested lease terms
- Compliance with established property-specific animal preferences or restrictions when the animal is not a service animal or assistance animal
Service animals and assistance animals are excluded from the comparison and will not be used in the owner's selection decision.
The date and time a completed application is received may be considered but will not automatically determine selection. All applications are evaluated using lawful, consistently applied criteria and without discrimination to any protected characteristic.
Decision and lease steps
What happens next.
08Your application result
Applicants will generally be notified of the screening result within three to five business days after the complete household application and all required documentation are received.
09If you are selected
If your application is approved you will be notified and must sign the lease and pay the security deposit online by 12:00 noon on the following business day. The property may be temporarily held until that deadline but will not be removed from the market until both are received.
- The standard security deposit is one month's rent. Additional prepaid rent may be required when permitted. A holding or good-faith fee may also be required and will be handled according to its written terms.
- In addition to monthly rent, a $30 monthly resident amenity fee applies. A $60 discount is available when the fee is prepaid for the full lease term.
10If you qualify but are not selected
A qualified applicant who is not selected may transfer the approved application to another available Valley Homes property for up to 60 days from the original application date without paying another application fee.
The applicant must meet the requirements for the new property, and updated information may be requested.
11Important information
False, incorrect or misleading information will result in denial and may be grounds for termination after tenancy begins. Valley Homes considers only applications submitted through our website or directly through a Valley Homes agent. A sight-unseen lease remains binding and may require a lease-break agreement if the applicant later chooses not to move forward.
Ready to apply?
Start your application