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Statement of Rental Policy-DC - Gables Residential

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Gables Dupont Circle<br />

STATEMENT OF RENTAL POLICY-District of Columbia<br />

August 21, 2015<br />

Welcome to our community. Before applying to rent an apartment, please take the time to review this Statement of Rental Policy. For the purpose of this<br />

document, the term “applicant” is defined as the person or persons who will be signing the Lease as the “Resident”. An applicant must be 18 years of age or<br />

older to qualify as a resident. All individuals 18 years of age or older must complete an application and be listed as a “Resident” on the Lease Agreement. The<br />

term “occupant” is defined as the person or persons who will be listed on the lease agreement who is under the age of 18, and who is residing at this community.<br />

Some criteria apply to the applicants only; other criteria apply to all occupants. Please note that this is the current rental criteria for this community; nothing<br />

contained herein constitutes a guarantee or representation that all residents and occupants currently residing here have met these requirements. There may be<br />

individuals who began residing at this community prior to this particular criteria going into effect; additionally, the ability to verify whether these requirements<br />

have been met is limited to the reliability of information received from applicants and outside services used.<br />

EQUAL HOUSING: Gables Dupont Circle is an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider. We do business in accordance to the Federal Fair Housing Act and do not<br />

discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Additionally, we provide housing in accordance<br />

with all other state or local laws if those laws provide greater protection than the Federal Fair Housing Act.<br />

APARTMENT AVAILIBILITY: Applications for apartment homes will be accepted on a first come – first serve basis and are subject to the availability of the particular<br />

apartment type requested. “Availability” does not necessarily mean that an apartment will definitely be available for occupancy by an applicant at the<br />

estimated date. “Available” apartments include those where a “Notice to Vacate” has been submitted by an existing resident indicating an intention to vacate<br />

on or about a certain date. Under certain circumstances, we will permit current residents who are not in default of their lease to withdraw or change their notice<br />

of moving. Other circumstances not necessarily under management’s control may also delay the date of availability of an apartment. In addition, an apartment<br />

may not be considered available because it is about to be placed under contract as an application has been made and a deposit placed to hold the<br />

apartment. If the applicant’s application is not approved or if the applicant fails to sign a Lease by the specified date, then the apartment would again become<br />

available. Whether a particular unit or type of apartment is available can vary significantly within several hours or days.<br />

RENTAL CRITERIA: All applicants and co-signers must agree to the following by executing this Statement of Rental Policy and a rental application form:<br />

Applicant(s) hereby consent to allow Gables Dupont Circle, through its designated agent and its employees, to obtain and verify credit information, including a<br />

criminal background search for the purpose of determining whether or not the applicant is eligible to lease an apartment. Applicant understands that upon<br />

leasing an apartment, Gables Dupont Circle and its agent shall have a continuing right to review credit information, rental application, criminal background,<br />

payment history and occupancy history. Faxed signatures are acceptable however; original signatures must be obtained prior to move in.<br />

INCOME: The combined income of the applicant(s) is required to meet Gables Dupont Circle’s minimum income criteria. The three types of income used to<br />

establish the income to rent ratio eligibility are employment income, other income and personal assets. Please consult a leasing associate for the specific income<br />

to rent ratio designated for Gables Dupont Circle .<br />

SCORING OF CONSUMER CREDIT REPORT: If all applicants’ combined income meets this property’s income requirements for the apartment in which applied for,<br />

Gables Dupont Circle will proceed in running a thorough credit check on all applicants age 18 and older that apply for residency. Gables Dupont Circle uses<br />

an expert statistical credit scoring system to evaluate consumer credit report. This information is compared to the credit trends of other consumers to predict<br />

how likely it is that the applicant will pay rent in a timely manner and fulfill all lease obligations. Based upon the applicants’ credit score, the application will be<br />

accepted, rejected or accepted on the condition that an additional security deposit is paid. If the application is rejected or accepted with conditions, the<br />

name, address and telephone number of the consumer reporting agencies which provided the consumer information will be provided. The applicant will be<br />

automatically rejected if an eviction occurred in the past (5) years. An applicant rejected for unsatisfactory credit is encouraged to obtain a copy of the credit<br />

report, correct any erroneous information that may be on the report and submit a new application to this community for further consideration.<br />

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS: If the application is accepted or accepted with conditions, an extensive criminal background search, including but not limited<br />

to the applicant’s past two years of residency and the state in which the applicant’s driver’s license was issued, will be conducted. Gables Dupont Circle performs<br />

criminal background checks in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Applicants’ signatures on the Application for Residency authorizes us to<br />

check not only applicants’ credit history, but also any arrests or convictions. Applicants will be required to answer questions on the application stating whether<br />

they have been convicted of or arrested for a crime; and, if so, what the crime was, when and where it occurred and the disposition of that charge. An<br />

unsatisfactory criminal background or a check that results in pending charges will result in denial of the application. However, not all crimes disqualify applicants<br />

from living at the community. Crimes that result in denial of residency are those which pose a serious threat to the health, safety and welfare of persons living<br />

and working in our community. The application may be denied for any of the following reported criminal related reasons that have occurred within the past (10)<br />

years prior to the application date: felony conviction, any terrorist related conviction, any illegal drug related conviction, any prostitution related conviction, any<br />

sex related conviction or listing on the sex offender registry, any cruelty to animals related conviction, misdemeanor conviction involving crime against persons<br />

or property, any of the prior mentioned charges resulting in “Adjudication Withheld” and/or “Deferred Adjudication”, and active status on probation or parole<br />

resulting from any of the prior mentioned reasons. Please be advised that this requirement does not constitute a guarantee or representation that residents or<br />

occupants currently residing in our community have not been convicted of or subject to deferred adjudication for a felony, certain misdemeanors or sex offenses<br />

requiring registration under applicable law. There may be residents or occupants that have resided in the community prior to this requirement going into effect.<br />

Additionally, our ability to verify this information is limited to the information made available to us by the resident credit reporting services used.<br />

FEES/DEPOSITS: In order to reserve an apartment home, applicant(s) must submit an executed application along with the following fees and deposits: 1.) A <strong>nonrefundable</strong><br />

application fee $75.00 for each applicant 18 years of age and older for verification of information and credit approval. 2.) A non-refundable<br />

administrative fee. $500.00 3.) A refundable security deposit. $0.00 Applicant understands that an additional security deposit may be required based on credit<br />

agency requirements. If for any reason management decides to decline the application, management will refund the administrative fee and the security deposit<br />

in full. If an applicant is conditionally approved, but chooses not to pay the additional deposit, then his/her application will be considered declined. If the<br />

application is approved and the applicant fails to sign a lease or take occupancy of the premises on the agreed date, management may retain the<br />

administrative fee and the security deposit as liquidated damages for the amount of rent lost and any expenses incurred due to the cancellation.<br />

OCCUPANCY: An apartment home shall contain sufficient bedroom space to accommodate the size of applicant’s household. As a general rule, “sufficient<br />

bedroom space” is determined by the number of people in the apartment home. No more than two people over the age of 24 months may be allowed for each<br />

bedroom in the apartment home. Exceptions to this general rule may be granted depending on the age of the persons in the household, size of the bedroom,<br />

existence of an “equivalent room” such as a den, study or mezzanine, or if the overall size and configuration of the apartment home would reasonably allow for<br />

more than two persons per bedroom. The term “equivalent” room does not include bathrooms, kitchens, foyers or laundry rooms. Loft units with no specified<br />

bedroom will be evaluated for the number of bedrooms based on the size of the loft as compared to an equivalent sized traditional unit. Any child under the<br />

age of 24 months is not counted as an additional person for purposes of occupancy guidelines. Once a child reaches the age of 24 months, the considerations<br />

listed above will be applied to determine whether the household will be required to move to a larger apartment home. Under no circumstances will a household<br />

be required to move to a larger apartment home during a current lease solely as a result of the addition of a child under 24 months to the household, or solely<br />

as a result of a child reaching the age of 24 months during a lease term. All members of the household, regardless of age, will be required to be listed on the<br />

lease agreement. Gables Dupont Circle policy is to conform to local and state requirements to the extent that they require a different standard than stated<br />

here.<br />

Revised June 10, 2015


INTERNATIONAL RENTAL CRITERIA: In addition to qualifying under the terms stated in this Statement of Rental Policy, applicants from countries other than the<br />

United States WHO DO NOT HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER must meet the following criteria:<br />

1. An original valid passport showing raised notary seals and USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) documentation is required. Expired passports or<br />

expired USCIS documents result in an automatic decline of the application. On the Application for Residency, the applicant is to fill in the Passport Number<br />

in lieu of a Social Security Number.<br />

2. Households consisting of International applicants WHO DO NOT HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER are required to pay AN ADDITIONAL ONE MONTH’S RENT<br />

AS A DEPOSIT.<br />

3. All move-in monies are required in U.S. Certified Funds.<br />

HOLD HARMLESS ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Resident agrees that Management does not promise, warrant or guarantee the safety and security of resident, resident’s<br />

family and occupants or Resident’s personal property against the criminal actions of other residents or third parties. Furthermore, Management shall not be<br />

liable for any damage or injury to Resident, Resident’s family and occupants or to any person entering the premises or the building of which the leased premises<br />

are a part, for injury to person or property arising from theft, vandalism or casualty occurring in the premises or the buildings; the term “premises” is defined to<br />

include any common areas, lakes and the surrounding area. Resident agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Management from all claims, costs and expenses<br />

arising from injury to person or property. Each Resident has the responsibility to protect him or herself and to maintain appropriate insurance to protect his/her<br />

belongings. Residents are to contact an insurance agent to arrange appropriate insurance protecting their personal property. Residents are required to secure<br />

and maintain liability insurance with limits not less than $50,000 It is also recommended that residents secure property insurance to cover their personal<br />

possessions. Insurance coverage maintained by Owner and/or Manager does not protect Resident from loss of personal property by theft, fire, water damage<br />

and any other perils. In addition, owner and/or Manager is not responsible for damage to resident vehicles. Resident is responsible for maintaining appropriate<br />

vehicular or automobile insurance coverage.<br />

NOTIFICATION STATUTES: For your information, you may obtain information about sexual offenders and/or predators in your state. The information can be<br />

obtained in all 50 states at http://www.openrecords.org, however, listed below are the states that Gables Residential operates a majority of its business:<br />

California<br />

(916) 227 – 4974 or http://MegansLaw@doj.ca.gov<br />

District of Columbia (202) 727 – 4407 or http://mpdc.dc.gov/serv/sor/sor.htm<br />

Florida<br />

(850) 410 – 8572 or http://www.fdle.state.fl.us<br />

Georgia<br />

(404) 244 – 2895 or http://www.ganet.org/gbi<br />

Maryland<br />

(410) 585 – 3649 or http://www1.dpscs.state.md.us/sor<br />

Texas<br />

(512) 424 – 2090 or http://www.txdps.state.tx.us<br />

Virginia<br />

(804) 323 – 2153 or http://www.vsp.state.va.us/index.htm<br />

VEHICLES: Parking space is limited in our community. Each household is permitted parking with a monthly fee of $250.00 per parking space and may be limited<br />

to two passenger vehicles. Commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles are not permitted.<br />

PETS (if applicable): Domesticated pets are accepted with a 40lb weight limit on Floors 2-9 only; First Floor and Townhomes do not have a weight/height limit.<br />

A $500.00 pet fee is required per pet (maximum of two) and must be paid in full prior to move-in. In addition, pet rent per month per animal may be required<br />

and must be paid each month and included in the rental payment. Pets will be subject to visual inspection. Resident(s) agree to comply with all community<br />

policies and may be required to sign a separate Pet Addendum. Service animals assisting a handicapped person are allowed and no pet fee is required. The<br />

following breed and/or mix breeds are prohibited: Akita, American Bull Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American or Bull Staffordshire Terrier, Briard, Borzoi Hounds,<br />

Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Chow, Dalmatian, Doberman Pincher, Dogo, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Husky, Irish Wolf Hound,<br />

Komondor, Malamute, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Scottish Deerhound, Spitz, St. Bernard, Stafford Terrier, Presa Canarios, Shar pei, Toso Inu and Wolf-<br />

Dog Hybrid.<br />

FLOTATION BEDDING SYSTEMS/WATER TANKS: Flotation bedding systems (waterbeds) or water tanks over 50 gallons will be allowed on any floor only if a copy of<br />

the current renter’s insurance policy naming Owner and Manager as additionally insured is maintained in the resident file.<br />

UTILITIES/SERVICES: We’ll pay for the following items, if checked: ☐ gas ☐ water<br />

☐ wastewater ☐ electricity ☐ trash/recycling ☐ pest control ☐ cable/satellite ☐ master antenna ☐ internet<br />

☐ stormwater/drainage ☐ other __________________________________________________ . You’ll pay for all other utilities and services, related deposits, and any<br />

charges or fees, on such utilities and services during your Lease Contract term.<br />

SATELLITE DISH: We allow the installation of one satellite dish per apartment in accordance with FCC and local access laws. Not all of our apartments are suitable<br />

to satellite reception and we cannot guarantee that satisfactory transmission will be received. There are limitations on how and where a satellite dish can be<br />

installed and the appropriate addendum must be signed. Liability Insurance (minimum coverage amount of $50,000) is required and a copy of the insurance<br />

must be presented prior to installation.<br />

ELECTRONIC CHECK POLICY: Gables Residential reserves the right to utilize Accounts Receivable Entry (ARC) to process personal checks through the ACH<br />

(Automated Clearing House) system and is compliant with NACHA (The Electronic Payments Association) rules. These rules require that Gables Residential provide<br />

residents and prospects the following notification: When you provide a check as payment, you authorize Gables Residential to use information from your check<br />

to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction. Gables Residential will use information from<br />

your check to make an electronic fund transfer and funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day we receive your payment, and you<br />

will not receive your check back from your financial institution.<br />

Applicant Signature Date Applicant Signature Date<br />

_____________________________________________________________<br />

_____________________________________________________________<br />

Applicant Signature Date Applicant Signature Date<br />

Revised June 10, 2015


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE OF THE TENANT ADVOCATE<br />

District of Columbia Tenant Bill of Rights<br />

The Tenant Bill of Rights Amendment Act of 2014 , effective December 17, 2014 (D.C. Law 20-147; D.C.<br />

Official Code §§ 42-3531.07(8) & 42-3502.22(b)(1)) requires the D.C. Office of Tenant Advocate to publish a<br />

“D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights” to be updated periodically and noticed in the D.C. Register. This document is not<br />

exhaustive and is intended to provide tenants with an overview of the basic rights of tenancy in the District.<br />

Except for rent control, all these rights apply to every tenant in the District.<br />

1. LEASE: A written lease is not required to establish a tenancy. If there is one, the landlord must provide<br />

you with a copy of the lease and all addendums. The landlord must also provide you with copies of certain<br />

District housing regulations, including those for Landlord & Tenant relations. Certain lease clauses are<br />

prohibited, including waiver of landlord liability for failing to properly maintain the property. The landlord<br />

may not change the terms of your lease without your agreement. After the initial lease term expires, you<br />

have the right to continue your tenancy month-to-month indefinitely on the same terms, except for lawful<br />

rent increases. (14 DCMR §§ 101, 106 & 300-399)<br />

2. SECURITY DEPOSIT: The amount of the security deposit may not exceed the amount of 1 month’s rent.<br />

The landlord must place your security deposit in an interest-bearing account. The landlord must post notices<br />

stating where the security deposit is held and the prevailing interest rate. If there is a “move-out” inspection,<br />

the landlord must notify you of the date and time. Within 45 days after you vacate the apartment, the<br />

landlord must either return your security deposit with interest, or provide you with written notice that the<br />

security deposit will be used to defray legitimate expenses (which must be itemized within 30 more days).<br />

(14 DCMR §§ 308-311)<br />

3. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION: Upon receiving your application to lease an apartment, the landlord<br />

must disclose: (a) the applicable rent for the rental unit; (b) any pending petition that could affect the rent<br />

(if rent control applies); (c) any surcharges on the rent and the date they expire (if rent control applies); (d)<br />

the rent control or exempt status of the accommodation; (e) certain housing code violation reports; (f) the<br />

amount of any non-refundable application fee, security deposit, and interest rate; (g) any pending condo or<br />

coop conversion; (h) ownership and business license information; (i) either a 3-year history of “mold<br />

contamination” (as defined) in the unit and common areas, or proof of proper remediation; and (j) a copy of<br />

this D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights document. The landlord must make this information accessible to you<br />

throughout your tenancy. Upon a tenant’s request once per year, the landlord must also disclose the amount<br />

of, and the basis for, each rent increase for the prior 3 years. (D.C. Official Code §§ 42-3502.22 & .13(d))<br />

Revised June 10, 2015


4. RECEIPTS FOR RENTAL PAYMENTS: The landlord must provide you with a receipt for any money<br />

paid, except where the payment is made by personal check and is in full satisfaction of all amounts due.<br />

The receipt must state the purpose and the date of the payment, as well as the amount of any money that<br />

remains due. (14 DCMR § 306)<br />

5. RENT INCREASES: “Rent control” limits the amount and the frequency of rent increases. For units that<br />

are exempt from rent control, generally only the lease terms limit rent increases. If rent control applies, the<br />

landlord may not raise the rent: (a) unless the owner and manager are properly licensed and registered; (b)<br />

unless the unit and common areas substantially comply with the housing code; (c) more frequently than<br />

once every 12 months; (d) by more than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for an elderly tenant (age 62 or<br />

over) or tenant with a disability, regardless of income, if registered with the Rent Administrator; (e) by more<br />

than the CPI + 2% for all other tenants. A rent increase larger than (d) or (e) requires government approval<br />

of a landlord petition, which tenants may challenge. You also may challenge a rent increase implemented<br />

within the prior 3 years.<br />

6. BUILDING CONDITIONS: The landlord must ensure that your unit and all common areas are safe and<br />

sanitary as of the first day of your tenancy. This is known as the “warranty of habitability.” The landlord<br />

must maintain your apartment and all common areas of the building in compliance with the housing code,<br />

including keeping the premises safe and secure and free of rodents and pests, keeping the structure and<br />

facilities of the building in good repair, and ensuring adequate heat, lighting, and ventilation. The tenant<br />

has the right to receive a copy of a notice of violation issued to the landlord (14 DCMR §§ 106; 301; & 400-<br />

999)<br />

7. LEAD PAINT HAZARD: For properties built prior to 1978, the landlord must (a) provide a prospective<br />

tenant household with a form issued by the District Department of the Environment about their rights under<br />

the D.C. lead laws; (b) provide a current lead-safe “clearance report” to (i) a prospective tenant household<br />

that includes a child less than 6 years of age or a pregnant woman, (ii) an in-place tenant household that<br />

gains such a person and requests the report in writing from the landlord, and (iii) any tenant household<br />

regularly visited by such a person; and (c) disclose to a tenant household what the landlord reasonably<br />

should know about the presence in the tenant’s unit of a lead-based paint hazard or of lead-based paint,<br />

which is presumed to be present unless there is documentation showing otherwise. (20 DCMR §§ 3300 et<br />

seq.)<br />

8. MOLD: Upon written notice from a tenant that mold or suspected mold exists in the unit or a common area,<br />

the landlord must inspect the premises within 7 days and remediate within 30 days. Mold assessment and<br />

remediation must be performed in compliance with District regulations. (D.C. Official Code § 8-241)<br />

Revised June 10, 2015


9. QUIET ENJOYMENT AND RETALIATION: The landlord may not unreasonably interfere with the<br />

tenant’s comfort, safety or enjoyment of a rental unit, whether for the purpose of causing the housing<br />

accommodation to become vacant or otherwise (D.C. Official Code § 42-3402.10). The landlord may not<br />

retaliate against you for exercising any right of tenancy. Retaliation includes unlawfully seeking to recover<br />

possession of your unit, to increase the rent, to decrease services or increase your obligations; and also<br />

includes violating your privacy, harassing you, or refusing to honor your lease. (D.C. Official Code § 42-<br />

3505.02)<br />

10. DISCRIMINATION: The landlord may not engage in discriminatory acts based upon the actual or<br />

perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, genetic information, personal<br />

appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities,<br />

disability, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, status as a victim of an intra-family offense,<br />

or place of residence or business of any individual. Discriminatory acts include refusing to rent; renting on<br />

unfavorable terms, conditions, or privileges; creating a hostile living environment; and refusing to make<br />

reasonable accommodations to give a person an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the premises. (D.C.<br />

Official Code § 2-1401.01 et seq.)<br />

11. RIGHT TO ORGANIZE: The landlord may not interfere with the right of tenants to organize a tenant<br />

association, convene meetings, distribute literature, post information, and provide building access to an<br />

outside tenant organizer. (D.C. Official Code § 42-3505.06)<br />

12. SALE AND CONVERSION: Tenants must be given the opportunity to purchase an accommodation before<br />

the landlord sells or demolishes the accommodation or discontinues the housing use. The landlord may not<br />

convert the rental accommodation to a cooperative or condominium unless a majority of the tenants votes<br />

for the conversion in a tenant election certified by the District’s Conversion and Sale Administrator. (D.C.<br />

Official Code §§ 42-3404.02 & 42-3402.02)<br />

13. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: If you are displaced by alterations or renovations, substantial<br />

rehabilitation, demolition, or the discontinuance of the housing use, you may have the right to receive<br />

relocation assistance from your landlord. (D.C. Official Code § 42-3507.01)<br />

14. EVICTION: The landlord may evict you only for one of ten specific reasons set forth in Title V of the<br />

Rental Housing Act of 1985. For example, you may not be evicted just because your lease term expires, or<br />

because the rental property has been sold or foreclosed upon. Even if there is a valid basis to evict you, the<br />

landlord may not use “self-help” methods to do so, such as cutting off your utilities or changing the<br />

locks. Rather, the landlord must go through the judicial process. You generally must be given a written<br />

Notice to Vacate (an exception is non-payment of rent where you waive the right to notice in the lease); an<br />

opportunity to cure the lease violation, if that is the basis for the action; and an opportunity to challenge the<br />

landlord’s claims in court. Finally, any eviction must be pursuant to a court order, and must be scheduled<br />

and supervised by the U.S. Marshal Service. (D.C. Official Code § 42-3505.01)<br />

Revised June 10, 2015


RESOURCES<br />

D.C. Dept. of Housing and Community<br />

Development<br />

1800 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE<br />

Washington, DC 20020<br />

Phone: (202) 442-9505 Fax: (202) 645-6727<br />

Website: www.dhcd.dc.gov<br />

D.C. Dept. of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs<br />

1100 4th Street, SW<br />

Washington, DC 20024<br />

Phone: (202) 442-4400 Fax: (202) 442-9445<br />

Website: www.dcra.dc.gov<br />

D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate<br />

2000 14 th Street, NW, Suite 300 North<br />

Washington, DC 20009<br />

Phone: (202) 719-6560 Fax: (202) 719-<br />

6586 Website: www.ota.dc.gov<br />

District Dept. of the Environment<br />

1200 First Street, NE<br />

Washington, DC 20002<br />

Phone: (202) 535-2600 Fax: (202) 535-<br />

2881 Website: www.ddoe.dc.gov<br />

I/We, ______________________________, confirm that I/We have received a Tenant Bill of Rights and<br />

Responsibilities Form on (insert date): ________________________.<br />

Revised June 10, 2015

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