Clear Standards. Fair Review.
Southern Bay Realty is committed to providing a fair, consistent, and professional leasing process for all applicants. The following policies apply to prospective tenants unless otherwise required by law.
Pre-Approval Required Before Property Showings
To protect our owners, current occupants, and applicants, Southern Bay Realty requires prospective tenants to complete an application before an in-person showing will be scheduled.
Application Before Showing
Southern Bay Realty requires all prospective tenants to submit an application and satisfy preliminary screening requirements before a property showing is scheduled.
Pre-approval for a showing is not a guarantee of final approval and does not reserve or hold a property.
First-Qualified, First-Completed
Properties are offered on a first-qualified, first-completed basis.
The first approved applicant who timely signs all required lease documents and pays all required funds will secure the property.
No Property Is Held Without a Signed Lease and Paid Deposit
No property will be held, reserved, removed from the market, or secured for any applicant without:
- A fully executed lease signed by all required parties; and
- Payment of all required deposits and other required funds.
Verbal commitments, verbal promises, pending discussions, pending applications, or informal understandings do not reserve or secure a property and will not be binding on Southern Bay Realty or the property owner.
General Tenant Screening Criteria
Applicants may be evaluated using factors including, but not limited to, the following criteria. Meeting minimum screening criteria does not guarantee approval or create any right to lease a property.
Income & Employment
- Gross monthly household income of at least three (3) times the monthly rent.
- Verifiable legal source of income.
- Documentation may include pay stubs, employer verification, tax returns, bank statements, benefit statements, or other reasonably requested documentation.
- Verifiable employment history or other reliable source of ongoing income.
Credit & Financial History
- Minimum credit score of 500.
- Credit history demonstrating a reasonable ability and willingness to satisfy financial obligations.
- No unpaid landlord collections.
- No unpaid landlord judgments.
Eviction & Rental History
- No eviction actions resulting in removal of the tenant or recovery of possession by the landlord within the previous ten (10) years.
- Verifiable rental history may be considered as part of the overall application review.
- Landlord verification and rental references may be requested when applicable.
Identity, Accuracy & Background Review
- Satisfactory identity verification.
- Complete, accurate, and truthful application information.
- Material omissions, false statements, or fraudulent documentation may result in denial.
- Criminal history, where considered, will be evaluated on an individualized basis in accordance with applicable law and fair housing requirements. Arrest records alone are not a basis for denial.
Application Review Process
Southern Bay Realty is committed to protecting our property owners, existing tenants, and applicants through a thorough and professional screening process.
Professional Review
Every completed application is reviewed by our licensed real estate broker, the property's assigned property manager, and our in-house Enrolled Agent as part of our verification and screening procedures.
This review may include evaluation and verification of income, employment, financial documentation, rental history, identity, occupancy information, and other information relevant to the application.
Additional Documentation May Be Requested
Applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation or clarification at any point during the review process.
Requested documentation may include, but is not limited to, pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, identification documents, benefit statements, employer verification, landlord verification, or other supporting information reasonably necessary to evaluate the application.
Tenant Interview
As part of the screening process, Southern Bay Realty may conduct a telephone or in-person interview with one or more applicants.
This interview may be used to verify information contained in the application, clarify discrepancies, confirm occupancy information, discuss rental history, or request additional details relevant to the application.
Independent Verification
Southern Bay Realty may independently verify information through employers, landlords, financial institutions, public records, consumer reporting agencies, and other lawful sources, subject to applicable law and any required applicant authorization.
Fraud Prevention
Southern Bay Realty may require original documents or additional supporting documentation for purposes of identity verification, fraud prevention, income verification, or compliance with applicable laws and owner requirements.
False, Altered, or Unverifiable Information
Any material false statement, omission, forged document, altered document, falsified record, or intentional misrepresentation contained in an application or supporting documentation may result in immediate denial of the application.
If such information is discovered after occupancy, Southern Bay Realty and/or the property owner reserve all rights and remedies available under the lease agreement and applicable law.
If information provided by an applicant cannot be reasonably verified, is materially inconsistent with other information received, or raises legitimate concerns regarding accuracy or authenticity, Southern Bay Realty may request additional documentation or deny the application if sufficient verification cannot be obtained.
Occupancy and Lease Requirements
Occupancy limits vary by property and are established based on applicable law, property characteristics, and owner requirements.
Adult Occupants
All adult occupants who are 18 years of age or older must:
- Submit a completed application;
- Satisfy applicable screening requirements; and
- Sign the lease agreement.
Property-Specific Limits
Where applicable to a particular property, Southern Bay Realty may limit the number of adult leaseholders or occupants based on the property's characteristics and owner requirements.
Most properties do not allow more than three adult occupants, but this may vary by property.
Ready to Find Your Next Rental Home?
Browse our available properties and follow Southern Bay Realty on Facebook to see new listings as they become available.
Additional Information
Screening Reports
Applicants may be required to authorize credit reports, criminal background reports, eviction history reports, identity verification, employment verification, rental history verification, and other lawful consumer screening reports as permitted by law.
Application Fees
Application fees, where charged, compensate for the cost of processing and screening and are non-refundable once processing has begun, except where otherwise required by applicable law.
No Guarantee of Approval
Submission of an application does not guarantee approval, does not reserve or hold a property, and does not create a landlord-tenant relationship or any contractual rights.
Policy Updates
Southern Bay Realty reserves the right to revise or update its screening criteria and leasing policies from time to time. The criteria in effect at the time a completed application is submitted will generally govern that application unless otherwise required by law.
New Rentals Can Move Fast
Follow Southern Bay Realty on Facebook to see new rental listings, availability updates, and property announcements as they are posted.
Tenant Screening FAQ
These answers are provided to help applicants better understand our leasing process and prepare the information needed for review.
Do I have to submit an application before viewing a property?
Yes. Southern Bay Realty requires prospective tenants to submit an application and satisfy preliminary screening requirements before an in-person showing is scheduled.
How much income do I need to qualify?
Applicants are generally required to show gross monthly household income of at least three (3) times the monthly rent, along with a verifiable legal source of income.
What credit score is required?
Southern Bay Realty generally requires a minimum credit score of 500, along with credit history demonstrating a reasonable ability and willingness to satisfy financial obligations.
Are evictions considered?
Yes. Applicants may be denied if they have eviction actions resulting in removal of the tenant or recovery of possession by the landlord within the previous ten (10) years.
Do all adults have to apply?
Yes. All adult occupants who are 18 years of age or older must submit a completed application, satisfy applicable screening requirements, and sign the lease agreement.
Can a property be held for me while I decide?
No. A property is not held, reserved, or removed from the market without a fully executed lease signed by all required parties and payment of all required deposits and funds.
What documents may I need to provide?
Requested documentation may include pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, identification documents, benefit statements, employer verification, landlord verification, or other supporting information reasonably necessary to evaluate the application.
How do I know when a new property becomes available?
You can browse available listings on our property listings page and follow Southern Bay Realty on Facebook for new listing announcements and availability updates.
Questions About Our Leasing Process?
Our team is happy to answer questions about our application process, screening procedures, available rentals, or property management services.
Equal Housing Opportunity
Southern Bay Realty is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. Southern Bay Realty complies with all applicable federal, Alabama state, and local fair housing laws.
Every applicant is evaluated using consistent screening standards without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about your rights under the Fair Housing Act, please visit the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Fair Housing Overview .
If information obtained from a consumer report contributes to an adverse action, any notices required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act or other applicable law will be provided.
