Rental Criteria

1. Occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms in a unit.  (A bedroom is defined as a space within the premises that is used primarily for sleeping, with at least one window/egress window and a closet)
2. Two persons are allowed per bedroom.
3. Exceptions are made for children under age two.  Children under age two are allowed as a third occupant when the child resides with the parent or other adult(s) maintaining proper legal custody.

Steps to becoming a resident at a typical property:

1. Select your rental unit.
2. Complete the application on the designated form. All individuals over the age of 18 are required to submit an application.
3. Pay your non-refundable application fee of $40.00. This fee reflects the actual out of pocket costs of screening for each application including without limitation: Nationwide credit check, Rent Payment History, Landlord-Tenant History, Multi-State Criminal History, Sex Offender Registry, OFAC and Watchlist Registry, ID Verification, Income Verification, and the Software to run these checks.
4. Once you have been approved, you will be required to pay the minimum refundable security deposit.
5. Be prepared to wait up to 3 business days for the information on your application to be verified.
6. Incomplete applications to include applicants that have not provided the needed supporting documents for approval process, will be denied.

Typical properties allow existing premises to be modified at the full expense of the disabled person if the disabled person agrees to restore the premises to the pre-modified condition. Typical properties require:

1. Written approval from the landlord before modifications are made.
2. Written assurances that the work will be performed in a professional manner.
3. Written proposals detailing the extent of the work to be done.
4. Documents identifying the names and qualifications of the contractors to be used.
5. All appropriate building permits and required licenses made available for landlord inspection.

1. Positive identification with a picture will be required.
2. A complete and accurate application listing the current and at least 2 years of previous rental reference with phone numbers will be required. If applicant has owned a home, previous mortgage statements showing current payments may be used. (incomplete applications will not be processed).
3. Each applicant will be required to qualify individually.
4. Applicants must be able to enter a legal and binding contract.
5. Incomplete, inaccurate, or falsified information will be grounds for denial.
6. Any applicant currently using illegal drugs or reporting a conviction for the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance shall be denied.
7. Any individual who may constitute a direct threat to the health and safety of an individual, the complex, or the property of others, will be denied.

1. Household monthly income should equal 3 times the stated monthly rent.
2. A current paycheck stub from the last two months of employment from the employer will be required to verify income via reference provided.
3. Temporary income will not be considered towards meeting the income requirement.
4. Verifiable income will be required for unemployed applicants.
5. Self-employed applicants will be required to show proof of income through copies of the previous 2 year’s minimum tax returns.
6. If household monthly income does not equal 3 times the stated monthly rent, a co-signer will be required. 
7. You will be denied if your source of income cannot be verified.
8. We do not accept housing assistance.

1. 2 years of verifiable rental history from a current third-party landlord is required. (Rental references ending 12 months prior to the date of application will not be considered current)
2. Home ownership is verified through the county tax assessor. Mortgage payments must be current.
3. 4 years of eviction free rental history will be required.
4. A co-signer will be required when rental history does not meet third party rental criteria or with no rental history. Rental history reflecting past due rent, or an outstanding balance will be denied. 

1. Good credit will be required, credit score under 645 will be denied for most properties. Must have credit score over 645 to be approved for most properties.  Some properties may require a higher credit score to qualify. Credit scores under 645 will require a cosigner. Any unscored credit with negative remarks will be grounds for denial.
2. Outstanding bad debt on a credit bureau (i.e.., Slow pay, Collections, Bankruptcies, Repossessions, Liens, Judgments & Wage Garnishment programs) will grounds for denial of application.
3. Bankruptcies filed within seven (7) years from the date of application will be denied.

1. Co-signers must have credit score of 700 or greater.
2. Co-signers income cannot come from retirement, pensions, SSI, etc.
3. Co-signers income must be at least three times the amount of the rent.

1. Applicants are responsible to ensure their pet(s) meet the pet criteria as stated in the unit’s advertising. Ridgeline Real Estate will not reimburse any application fees paid if the applicant does not qualify based on the number, type, breed, weight, etc. of their pet(s).

Upon receipt of the rental applications and screening fee, landlord will conduct a search of public records to determine whether the applicant or any proposed tenant has been convicted of, or pled guilty to or no-contest to, any crime.



1. A conviction, guilty plea or no-contest plea, ever for: any felony involving serious injury, kidnapping, death, arson, rape, sex crimes and/or child sex crimes, extensive property damage or drug-related offenses (sale, manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to sell) class A/Felony burglary or class A/Felony robbery; or
2. A conviction, guilty plea or no-contest plea, where the date of disposition, release or parole have occurred within the last seven years for: any other felony charges; or
3. A conviction, guilty plea or no-contest plea, where the date of disposition, release or parole have occurred within the last seven years for: any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor involving assault, intimidation, sex related, drug related (sale, manufacture, delivery or possession) property damage or weapons charges; or
4. A conviction, guilty plea or no-contest plea, where the date of disposition, release or parole have occurred within the last three years for: any class B or C misdemeanor in the above categories or any misdemeanors involving criminal trespass I, theft, dishonesty, prostitution.

Criminal conviction shall be grounds for denial of the rental application.  Ridgeline Real Estate will review the type of conviction, the time that has passed since conviction, recidivism in the record and any clarifying or supportive documentation provided by applicant to determine if that household, because of the conviction would be deemed a risk to person or property.

If your application is denied due to negative and adverse information being reported, you may:

1. Contact at 866-648-1536 to discuss your application.
2. Contact the credit reporting agency to:
   a) Identify who is reporting unfavorable information
   b) Request a correction if the information being reported is incorrect
   

Ridgeline Real Estate manages properties as a contracted agent on behalf of owners with intent to lease and manage their portfolio(s). Any and all fees will be clearly communicated and disclosed to tenants prior to their tenancy and clearly outlined in the Lease Agreement and/or in any addendums. Below is a listed overview of fees that may be charged to tenants during a tenancy.

1. Application Fee ($40.00 non-refundable)

This is a one-time, non-refundable fee that is charged to all applicants and co-signers. This fee reflects the actual out of pocket costs of screening for each application including without limitation: Nationwide credit check, Rent Payment History, Landlord-Tenant History, Multi-State Criminal History, Sex Offender Registry, OFAC and Watchlist Registry, ID Verification, Income Verification, and the Software to run these checks. The amount of the application fee can be found on the property listing description, in our application process verbiage/disclaimer, and on our website. (MCA 37-56-109)

   2. Lease Administration Fee ($50.00 one-time non-refundable)

This is a one-time, non-refundable fee that is charged to all tenants and outlined in the rental listing description and application disclaimer prior to filling out the application. The Lease Administration Fee is a one-time fee due with the first month's rent. The Lease Administration Fee is based in part on the internal costs incurred by Ridgeline Real Estate 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, as well as the ongoing day-to-day operational expenses incurred by Ridgeline Real Estate.

   3. Recurring Monthly Convenience Fee ($2.00/monthly)

Ridgeline Real Estate provides access to technology used for online rent payments, maintenance requests, account access, 24/7 document access, and electronic communications. This fee helps residents have continued access to the convenient digital services and system support.

   4. Landlord Liability Insurance or LLI ($15.00/monthly)

Ridgeline Real Estate 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 Ridgeline Real Estate. 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.

   5. Pet Fee ($45.00/monthly per pet)

If a pet(s) is allowed at a property Ridgeline Real Estate manages, a Pet Agreement will be executed along with the Lease Agreement and any other addendums. A monthly pet fee and deposit may be required in connection with the Pet Agreement and clearly disclosed in the Pet Agreement and Lease Agreement.

   6. Utility Reimbursement Fee (Varies)

A utility reimbursement fee may be the responsibility of the tenant for utility services at certain properties. In some cases, tenants will be responsible for contacting the utility companies directly. Some properties managed by Ridgeline Real Estate have utilities paid by the owner of the property and other utilities not paid by the owner of the property. In those cases, tenants may be responsible may be charged a utility reimbursement fee which will be outline and disclosed in the Lease Agreement.

   7. Non-Sufficient Funds Fee (NSF - $30.00 per occurrence)

In the event any payment, made by check, to the Manager by Tenants is returned unpaid, the Tenant's payment shall not be considered made until such funds are made good. In addition, Tenants shall pay the NSF Check Fee set out in the Specific Terms of this Agreement and from that time forward all payments must be in the form of a cashier's check or money order. All payments made by Tenant shall be applied first to any fees or charges owing and any remaining balance shall be applied to rent owing.

   8. Late Fee ($50.00 per occurrence)

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 are not received by Ridgleine Real Estate by 5:00 p.m. on the 3rd day of the month. The amount of the late fee will be clearly stated in the tenant’s Lease Agreement.

   9. Lease Amendment Fee (Varies)

A lease amendment is a formal agreement that modifies the original terms of an existing lease contract between a landlord and a tenant. This document is essential when there are changes to the original lease agreement that both parties have mutually agreed upon. It ensures clarity of the new terms. The Lease Amendment fee is due at signing a Lease Amendment Notice/Disclosure.

   10. Early Lease Termination Fee (75% of one month's rent)

If a current tenant should terminate the lease early, tenant will be responsible for early termination costs, to cover expenses for Ridgeline Real Estate to assist in securing a new tenant. In order to begin the process, all parties to the Lease Agreement, must sign the Early Termination Addendum provided by Ridgeline Real Estate and pay the required early termination costs. The early termination fee to be paid to Ridgeline Real Estate at the time of notice of termination is 75% of one month’s rent and is paid by the tenant NOT through the security deposit or current owed rent.

   11. Security Deposits (Varies)

Concurrent with signing of their Residential Lease Agreement, tenants will be required to pay a security deposit, which will be held by Ridgeline Real Estate 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.

   12. Cleaning Charges or Damage Repairs (Varies)

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 Ridgeline Real Estate. 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. 

Ridgeline Real Estate 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 Ridgeline Real Estate.