Rental Process
Renting a home should feel straightforward, not stressful. We've laid out every step below so you know exactly what to expect, what to prepare, and what comes next — no surprises, no fine print you didn't see coming. The same transparency we bring to our property owners, we bring to our tenants.
No Surprises. No Mystery.
The same transparency we hold ourselves to with property owners applies to you too. Here's every step of our rental process, laid out up front so you always know where you stand.
- Browse available rentals at SpringsHomesForRent.com/available-rentals
- Click on a property and schedule or self-tour
- We strongly recommend visiting in person before applying — sight-unseen rentals are possible but not ideal
- Credit score of 625 or higher
- Gross monthly income of at least 2× the monthly rent
- 2 years of rental history or home ownership
- No prior evictions or money owed to a past landlord
- All adults 18+ must qualify individually — income is not combined for roommates
- All adults 18+ living in the property must each submit their own application
- Application fee is $50 per adult and is non-refundable
- The application will not be processed until it is complete and the fee is paid
- Applications are reviewed concurrently — this is not first-come, first-served
- 3 months of pay stubs, LES, SSI, Social Security, or child support documentation
- Self-employed: most recent 2 years of tax returns
- 2 years of employment verification
- Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license)
- Approved applicants are contacted by your property manager to move forward
- Conditional approvals (co-signer, homeowner consent) will be outlined in the notification
- A stronger competing applicant may result in denial even if you meet minimums
- Your property manager sends the lease agreement, addendums, and Brokerage Disclosure for e-signature
- All adults on the lease must sign
- E-signatures are legally binding
- Springs Homes For Rent represents the owner as Landlord Agent — you will always be treated fairly as a customer
- Full security deposit due within 24 hours of lease signing
- First month’s rent due before move-in
- Pet deposit and pet rent due prior to move-in if a pet was approved
- Electricity, gas, trash, cable, and internet must be transferred to your name
- Contact each provider and give them your lease start date
- Rent under $2,000/mo: minimum $300,000 liability coverage required
- Rent $2,000/mo or more: minimum $500,000 liability coverage required
- List Springs Homes For Rent, 703 N Tejon St, Ste F, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 as Additional Interested Party
- Upload your policy in your AppFolio tenant portal once it is active
- Check your email for an invite from [email protected] — subject: “Activate Your Online Portal”
- The link is unique to you and expires, so activate it promptly
- Use the portal to pay rent, set up AutoPay, submit maintenance requests, view your lease, and upload insurance
- Your PM meets you at the property with your move-in packet (welcome letter, Inventory form, utility form)
- Walk-through covers door codes, mailbox, garage, and trash day
- Keys and any garage remotes are handed off at this time
- Weekend move-ins: PM will schedule end-of-day Friday or provide lockbox access
- Walk through every room and note any existing damage or defects — no matter how minor
- This form protects your security deposit: anything not noted is presumed to be in good condition
- Email the completed form back to your PM within 7 business days
- Use the tenant portal for repair requests — the condition form is not a maintenance request
Ready to apply? Browse available homes and click Apply Now on any listing.
View available homesFrequently Asked Questions
Is the application fee refundable if I’m not approved?
No. The $50 application fee per adult is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. This covers the cost of running your credit, background, and rental history checks.
Does everyone in the household need to apply separately?
Yes. Every adult 18 or older who will be living in the property must submit their own application, pay their own fee, and qualify individually. We do not combine income between roommates — each applicant must demonstrate at least 2× the monthly rent on their own.
How long does the application process take?
Most applications are processed within 48 hours of submission, provided all documents and the application fee have been received. Incomplete applications are not processed until everything is in.
Is it first-come, first-served?
No. All applications received for a property are reviewed concurrently and evaluated on the strength of qualifications. Applying early does not guarantee approval if a stronger applicant applies later.
My credit score is below 625. Can I still apply?
It depends on how far below 625 and why. Here’s how we generally approach it:
- Scores 600–624 or unestablished credit may qualify with homeowner consent
- Scores 575–624 due solely to medical debt or student loans may still be approved with homeowner consent
- Scores below 575 are typically not approved
A strong co-signer may also be an option for borderline cases. Contact us before applying if you have questions about your specific situation.
What counts as acceptable proof of income?
We accept the following as proof of income:
- 3 months of pay stubs
- LES (military leave and earnings statement)
- SSI, Social Security, or child support documentation
- Most recent 2 years of tax returns (self-employed applicants)
I have a criminal record. Will I automatically be denied?
Not automatically. Violent crime, property crime, sexual offenses, and domestic violence convictions will result in denial. Lesser offenses are reviewed case-by-case. We encourage you to be upfront on your application — dishonest or incomplete applications are grounds for immediate disqualification.
Can I use a portable tenant screening report instead of paying the fee?
Yes. Under Colorado law (C.R.S. §38-12-902), you have the right to provide a portable tenant screening report. If you provide one, we are prohibited from charging you the application fee. Contact us before submitting to confirm the report meets our requirements.
What do I need to pay before I get my keys?
Before your move-in date, your AppFolio ledger must show a $0 balance, which means the following must be paid in full:
- Full security deposit (due within 24 hours of lease signing)
- First month’s rent
- Pet deposit and pet rent, if applicable
Which utilities do I need to set up before moving in?
You are responsible for transferring the following into your name before your lease start date:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Trash
- Cable and internet
How much renters insurance do I need?
Renters insurance is required before you move in. The minimum liability coverage depends on your monthly rent:
- Rent under $2,000/mo: $300,000 minimum liability coverage
- Rent $2,000/mo or more: $500,000 minimum liability coverage
List Springs Homes For Rent, 703 N Tejon St, Ste F, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 as the Additional Interested Party on your policy. Upload your policy in your AppFolio tenant portal once it is active.
What is the Property Condition & Inventory Form and why does it matter?
This form is your record of the property’s condition at the time you moved in. You’ll receive it from your property manager on move-in day. Walk through every room and note any existing damage or defects — no matter how minor.
This form directly protects your security deposit. Anything not noted on the form is presumed to be in good condition when you move out. Return the completed form to your PM within 7 business days of your move-in date.
When is rent due and how do I pay it?
Rent is due on the 1st of every month. All payments are made through your AppFolio tenant portal — we do not accept paper checks. You can pay by eCheck (ACH) or debit/credit card. We strongly recommend setting up AutoPay so you never miss a due date.
What happens if I pay rent late?
Here is the full timeline once rent is not received by the 1st:
- Day 9: A late fee equal to 5% of your monthly rent is automatically added to your balance
- Days 10–14: A formal Notice to Pay or Vacate is issued and a $50 notice fee is charged to your account
- Day 42+: If unpaid, the matter is referred to our legal team to file a formal eviction with the court. You become responsible for all court costs and legal fees in addition to past-due rent
How do I submit a maintenance request?
All maintenance requests must be submitted through the AppFolio tenant portal — not by phone call, text, or email. Here’s how:
- Log in at springshomes4rent.appfolio.com or use the AppFolio Resident app
- Select Maintenance from the main menu, then click Request Maintenance
- Choose a category, describe the issue in detail, and upload photos or videos if possible
- Submit and save your confirmation number
Photos are especially helpful — they allow our team to assess the issue and arrive with the right parts, saving time and extra visits.
Why can’t I just call or text about a maintenance issue?
The portal is the first thing we check when we start our day and the last thing we check before we leave. Submitting through it means your request is automatically logged, cannot get lost, and immediately notifies our maintenance team for faster response. Phone calls reached while we’re out on a property often don’t get properly documented — which can slow things down for you.
What counts as an emergency repair?
Emergency repairs are issues that pose an immediate risk to health, safety, or significant property damage. Examples include:
- No heat in winter
- Active water leak or flooding
- Gas leak (call 911 and your gas provider first)
- Complete loss of electricity
- Broken exterior door or window lock (security risk)
For emergencies, submit a portal request marked urgent and call our office at 719-359-8998. For after-hours emergencies, follow the instructions on our voicemail.
I never received my portal activation email. What do I do?
First, check your spam or junk folder for an email from [email protected] with the subject “Activate Your Online Portal.” The activation link is unique to you and expires, so act on it as soon as it arrives. If you still can’t find it, contact your property manager and we’ll resend the invitation.
What can I do in the tenant portal?
The portal is your online home base for everything related to your tenancy:
- Pay rent by eCheck or debit/credit card, and set up AutoPay
- Submit and track maintenance requests with photos or video
- View or download your lease, addendums, and move-in inspection report
- Access shared documents including HOA rules, utility info, and property notices
- Upload your renters insurance policy
The best way to reach us is through your AppFolio tenant portal, where your message is automatically logged and routed to the right person. You can also reach us at 719-359-8998 or [email protected].