Application Process

Missoula Property Management shall charge to all tenants a one-time Lease Administration fee. The Lease Administration Fee shall be due along with the first full month’s rent.

The LA Fee is based in part on the internal costs incurred by Missoula Property Management for lease administration, including without limitation: making the property rent-ready, document preparation, administration and supervision of the leasing and move-in process, providing information that contributes to a successful leasing transaction, access to technology (including the secure online tenant portal), as well as the ongoing day-to-day operational expenses incurred by Missoula Property Management.

Missoula Property Management collects monthly rent on behalf of the property owners pursuant to the terms of the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.  The rent payments are disbursed to the property owners in accordance with the property management agreement between the property owners and Missoula Property Management.  The monthly rent charged for a particular premises will be disclosed in the advertising and listing for the premises on the Missoula Property Management website (rentinmissoula.com).  The monthly rent amount also will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

In addition to the monthly rent payment, tenants may be responsible for certain utility services.  In some cases, the tenant will be responsible for contracting directly with the utility provider.  In other cases, Missoula Property Management or the property owner will pay the utility provider directly.  In those cases, the tenant may be charged a monthly utility fee or reimbursement.  The utility services the tenant is responsible for will be identified in the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.  Any monthly utility fee/reimbursement amount due to Missoula Property Management will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

If a pet is allowed on the premises by Missoula Property Management, the tenant and Missoula Property Management will execute a Pet Agreement that is separate from the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.  In connection with any Pet Agreement, the tenant may be required to pay an additional security deposit and an additional monthly pet fee.  The amounts of the additional security deposit and the monthly pet fee will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the Residential Lease Agreement.

Missoula Property Management offers its tenants a mandatory Resident Benefit Package.  Details and benefits of the Resident Benefit Package can be found here.  The Resident Benefit Package is also explained on the Tenant Liability Insurance Addendum to the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.  The monthly fee amount associated with the Resident Benefit Package will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the Residential Lease Agreement.

Missoula Property Management requires its tenants to obtain liability coverage of at least $100,000.00 in property damage and liability from an A-rated carrier and to maintain such coverage throughout the term of the tenancy.  To satisfy that requirement, the tenant may either be automatically enrolled in a policy that satisfies the coverage requirements or obtain alternative liability coverage and provide evidence of the same to Missoula Property Management.  The insurance requirement is more fully explained in the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement and the Tenant Liability Insurance Addendum.  The amount of the monthly fee for the insurance premium, in the event the tenant is automatically enrolled in a policy that satisfies that coverage requirements, will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the Residential Lease Agreement.

If a tenant check is returned unpaid, a Non-Sufficient Funds fee (NSF fee) will be charged to the tenant’s account.  The amount of the NSF fee will be clearly stated in the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

The monthly rent and other recurring fees generally are due on or before the first day of each month.  A late fee will be assessed if the full monthly rent obligation and recurring fees are not received by Missoula Property Management by 5:00 p.m. on the 5^th day of the month.  The amount of the late fee will be clearly stated in the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

If tenants default on their lease obligations, Missoula Property Management will send the defaulting tenant a default notice in accordance with Montana law.  In that event, a default notice fee will be charged to the defaulting tenant.  The amount of the default notice fee will be clearly stated in the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

Concurrent with signing of their Residential Lease Agreement, tenants will be required to pay a security deposit, which will be held by Missoula Property Management during the tenancy and applied or refunded in accordance with Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-101, et. seq.  The amount of the security deposit will be clearly stated in the Payment Terms section of the tenant’s Residential Lease Agreement.

All tenants are responsible for damage to the leased premises that has been caused by the tenant, its guests or invitees.  Tenants also may be responsible for cleaning charges other than normal maintenance performed on a cyclical basis by Missoula Property Management.  Cleaning charges and property damage may be deducted from the tenant’s Security Deposit in accordance with Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-101, et. seq. 

Missoula Property Management intends to be fully transparent with its tenants regarding all fees that may be charged in connection with the lease of any premises managed by Missoula Property Management.  If a prospective or current tenant has any questions or concerns regarding the type of amount of fees being charged, they are encouraged to contact Missoula Property Management to discuss their concern and obtain clarification.  

To become a resident:

1. Select your desired rental unit.
2. Complete an application form. Each person 18 years or older must submit a separate application.
3. Pay the non-refundable screening fee, which is an out-of-pocket expense that covers the cost of the screening
4. Upon approval, pay the minimum refundable security deposit and application fee
5. Please allow one business day for application verification.
6. You are encouraged to review the rental agreement at the time of application.

Modifications for accessibility may be made at the applicant’s expense, subject to the following:

• Written landlord approval prior to modifications.
• Written description of proposed work.
• Names and qualifications of all contractors.
• Required permits and licenses must be made available for inspection.
• Applicant must agree to restore the unit to its original condition, if requested.

• Government-issued photo ID is required.
• Application must be complete and accurate, with current and one prior rental reference.
• Each applicant is screened individually.
• Must be legally able to enter into a binding contract.
• Incomplete, inaccurate, or falsified information will result in denial.
• Current illegal drug use or conviction for drug manufacturing/distribution will result in denial.
• Applicants posing a threat to health/safety or property will be denied.

• Household income must be 3 times the monthly rent.
• A recent paycheck stub is required.
• Unemployed applicants must provide verifiable income or availability of funds that otherwise satisfy the income requirements (e.g., bank statements, support payments, benefits, loans).
• Self-employed applicants must provide previous year's tax return.
• Qualifying income or funds cannot come from a source exempt from execution/collection under Montana law and Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-608, as may be amended.
• If income is below 3x rent, applicant must provide an additional security deposit equal to a full month's rent payment or a co-signer that satisfies the income requirements.
• Applications will be denied if income cannot be verified.

• Must have at least 1 year of verifiable employment.
• Self-employed status must be verified by business registration or corporate filing.
• Applicants not meeting employment requirements must provide an additional security deposit equal to a full month's rent payment or a co-signer that satisfies the income requirements.
• Applicants without employment and no alternative income or funds sufficient to satisfy the income requirements will be denied.

• 2 years of verifiable third-party rental history is required.
  • History ending more than 12 months ago will not be considered current.
• Homeownership will be verified via the county tax assessor.
• 4 years eviction-free history is required.
• If no rental history or non-third-party references, a co-signer is required.
• Applications with outstanding or past-due rent balances will be denied unless the debt is settled and no new negative balances have occurred.

• A minimum credit score of 600 is required.
• Scores:
  • Under 600: Denied.
  • 600–699: Require an additional deposit or co-signer.
  • 700 or higher: Approved with satisfaction of other requirements.
• Unscored applicants will be reviewed based on account history. Negative remarks will result in denial.
• Bad debt over $100 (collections, liens, bankruptcies, etc.) requires an additional deposit.
• Bankruptcies filed within 3 years of application date will result in denial.

• Must have a credit score of 700 or higher.
• Qualifying income must not be from a source exempt from execution/collection under Montana law and Mont. Code Ann. § 25-13-608, as may be amended.
• Must earn or possess at least 3 times the monthly rent.

• All pet/animal owners must use our third-party pet screening service (fees may apply).
• Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their pet(s) meet the unit-specific pet criteria (e.g., breed, weight, number).
• Out-of-pocket fees for third-party pet screening are non-refundable, even if the pet does not meet criteria.

Applications will be denied for:

• Ever convicted of serious felonies (e.g., murder, arson, sex crimes, major drug offenses, Class A/Felony burglary or robbery).
• Felony convictions within the last 7 years for other crimes.
• Misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor convictions within the last 7 years involving assault, drugs, weapons, or property damage.
• Class B or C misdemeanors within the last 3 years involving trespass, theft, dishonesty, prostitution.

All criminal history is reviewed based on:

• Type and severity of the conviction.
• Time elapsed.
• Pattern of behavior (recidivism).
• Any supporting documentation submitted.

If your application is denied based on background information:

• Contact AmRent at (888) 898-6196 to discuss your application.
• Contact the credit reporting agency to:
  • Confirm who reported negative information.
  • Dispute any incorrect data.

To appeal a denial:

• Email to: info@rentinmissoula.com
  Equal Housing Opportunity Manager
  Missoula Property Management
• Include your explanation and any relevant supporting documentation.
• Your file will be reviewed within 7 business days, and you will be notified of the outcome.