The FICO score is a three digit number that is calculated using several components of your credit report: payment history, debt burden, length of credit history, types of credit used, and recent searches for credit. This number typically falls between 300 and 850 but varies depending on the particular calculation used (the company calculating and the purpose they are calculating for can have an effect). Equifax (one of the three major credit reporting agencies) labels scores between 580-669 as Fair, 670-739 as Good, and 740-799 as Very Good.

Your FICO score is frequently used by lenders or rental providers to determine your creditworthiness or likelihood to pay bills. That said, we have some thoughts of our own about the accuracy of a credit score in determining a person's ability or likelihood to pay their bills, and we’ll never disqualify you based on your credit score alone.

While a credit score is part of our screening guidelines, it is not the only (nor most important) screening requirement. We take a look at the application as a whole, and give applicants the opportunity to provide further information/support for their application. This may include letters of recommendation, cosigners, or increased deposit amounts in order to qualify for a lease.

Our screening partner provides us with a multi-state background check for the last 7 years. We are looking to ensure the safety of our tenants and properties, not to exclude everyone that has ever made a mistake or had a run-in with law enforcement. We will inform you of any results received that might disqualify you from renting, and in most cases, allow you the opportunity to address the concerns we have before making a decision on your application.

There is no single answer to this question. We want to fit tenants into properties that they can successfully complete the lease terms in. This means we aren't going to move you into a property if we believe you won't have the ability to pay rent. That said, we understand that "ability to pay rent" is not the same as "ability to stay in the same job for a long time." We have ourselves worked several part time jobs, temporary jobs, gig work, contract jobs, and have been self-employed in order to make ends meet.

Next you’ll sign the lease, submit your rent and deposits, schedule any utility transfers. We’ll also do a move-in inspection together. We use an app that allows us to take photos and notes as you walk through the property with a member of our team. You'll be allowed to review the photos/notes and will sign the inspection immediately on the app. The resulting PDF report will be added to your file in our system and you will have access to it as needed.

A lease is a legally enforceable contract between a renter and landlord (property owner, or their representative property manager). It contains terms and conditions including but not limited to: the time duration of the lease, deposit requirements, the amount of rent and other costs and when they are due, limits on occupancy, rules for pets, and information on maintenance and repairs processes. It’s important to understand all the details before signing! We’re here to help with any questions you may have.

We generally require a Security Deposit equal to one months' rent to pay for potential damages beyond normal wear and tear following your tenancy. We do not collect the last month’s rent in advance (many companies require first, last, and deposit to move in) as we believe this is one of the barriers to entry that keeps good people out of great homes.

The funds are held "in trust" (meaning we keep it in an account, labeled with your lease information) until the completion of your lease. By law, we have up to 30 days to return your Security Deposit at the end of your lease (minus any expenses that you are liable for at your move out). That said, we do our best to get funds returned much faster than that!

Yes, we do require rental insurance. But, most policies cost less than $20 per month. We don't sell policies ourselves, but we are happy to direct you to several options/resources. Rental insurance covers *your property* and may cover damages caused by your negligence (like an overflowing bathtub that causes damage to the floor). Our owners typically carry Landlord policies which cover *their property* and damages caused by their negligence (a loose step in a stairwell that causes a fall).

Yes, if they qualify. Oregon law sets a maximum number of tenants based on number of rooms. This allows for "2 heads per bed +1". This means a studio (0 bedrooms) can house 2 people maximum and a 2-bedroom can house 5 people maximum. All roommates 18 and over must complete our application process, be approved, and sign the lease with equal liability.

Of course you can have guests! You are responsible to ensure your guests follow the rules incorporated into your lease. This includes informing us of guests staying 7 or more days in a calendar year. If guests stay long enough, they are considered roommates, and must complete the application process/and be added to the lease. This is a bridge we can cross together, just keep us informed.

We LOVE pets. We don't have a single, blanket pet policy for all of our properties. There are many factors that go into our decisions to allow/disallow pets at each property such as: homeowners’ association rules, the owner's insurance policy requirements, materials in a property, (original hardwood floors can be very expensive to replace if damaged) and more. But overall, we lean towards allowing well-behaved pets. If you follow our social media accounts, you'll see a fair amount of our pets, too!

The ADA defines a service animal as "a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability." Service animals and emotional support animals rules are found in the Fair Housing Act. To fall under this provision, you must have a physical or mental condition or disability-related need for the animal. In other words, the animal must work, perform tasks or services, or alleviate the emotional effects of your disability in order to qualify.

In order to be considered to have an emotional support animal at your new place, you must receive an ESA (Emotional Support Animal) Letter from a licensed physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist.

At Peace By Lease, we aren't out to squeeze every possible penny out of you. Sometimes rent increases are necessary in order to keep up with the expenses of managing a property (insurance costs, maintenance, etc.). We promise that it will never be a surprise; we will provide as much notice as possible, and be open to feedback from you. Overall, Oregon has some of the most stringent regulations regarding rent increases, and some cities in the Portland Metro (Portland especially) have even more requirements. You are well protected, and we take your rights very seriously.

Yes, late fees are incurred on the 5th day of the month if rent has not been received in full. Your lease will specify how much late fees are and when they are due. Please let us know immediately when you believe you may not be able to pay rent on time! We do our best to work with tenants to avoid late fees and other actions for late rent. If it isn't happening on a regular basis, we are likely to be able to waive a late fee and/or make payment arrangements with you. But if we don't know, we cannot help!

If you told us you were going to be paying late, stick to your payment arrangements.

If you have not communicated with us in advance, you’ll need to call our office to make payment arrangements immediately.

If no attempt is made to make payment or speak to our office, we will file for eviction on the date included in your notice.

**We will not report this if it’s resolved by your notice date! If you are communicative, this will not impact your ability to secure future housing.

You’ll use your tenant portal to submit a maintenance request, upload photos, and authorize entry for repair. This method ensures our entire team, and the property owner, are looped in immediately and provides for the fastest service. It also provides a method for us to track how long repairs are taking and who was involved in the process.

If there is a maintenance issue that is likely to cause further damage to the property (a leaking dishwasher for instance), please call twice and leave a voicemail. This ensures we can attend to it immediately!

We work with many different owners. Generally speaking, we keep their personal information confidential, just as we do with yours. We do not provide direct contact information to either party. We are authorized by the owners to act on their behalf in the management of their rental property and we welcome any communications/feedback that can help us provide you a happy and safe home.

We do our best to provide ample notice and be flexible with our entry into your unit. We also don't enjoy people coming into our homes! Legally, your rental may be accessed by our team and contracted vendors with 24-hours notice (or immediately with your direct consent) in order to complete tasks related to maintaining and leasing the unit. Examples would include semi-annual inspections, completing requested repairs, or implementing upgrades. This is directly addressed in your lease and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

In the event of an emergency, or an issue that is believed would cause damage or injury to the property or tenant, we are allowed access without prior notice. This would be something like: a flood reported by an adjacent unit, or a report that indicates you have been injured and require medical assistance (we would involve emergency services).

We require notice to vacate be provided in writing. The minimum notice is 30 days. But we are big on communication, so the more notice, the better! When your lease term is ending, we will send you a new term offer well in advance with a timeline for your response. In the event that you need to end your lease early, prompt communication can help us minimize your liability for not completing the lease terms. Keep us in the loop, and we will do our best to help you!