Applying for Housing

Each of our apartment properties is unique and additional rules can apply, it is always best to speak with one of our property management staff about your needs.

Step one: Complete an application

For nearly all CHI properties, prospective residents can apply online at chihousing.com. 

To apply: go to chihousing.com and search the name of the property for which you are applying. In the upper right-hand corner of the property's website, you will see an APPLY HERE button - click and complete.

Information we collect in an application

  • We will complete a credit and criminal screening of all adult household members.  We require a $25 application fee for each adult household member (over age 18) as well as a valid government-issued ID.
  • We request two years of history of where you have lived and contact information for past landlords.
  • For most of our communities, we will determine whether your household's income is above our minimum required.  That means your household's monthly income must be 3 times the amount of the rent you will pay - or more.  Housing assistance like a Section 8 voucher can help you meet this minimum income requirement at most of our properties.
  • To qualify for an apartment with a below market rent, the household's total income must also fall below certain income limits.  The income limits change each year and vary by how many people are living in the household.
  • Credit and criminal background checks apply
  • In addition to a landlord reference check, CHI applies credit and criminal background checks to all residents over age 18.  Among other factors, applications can be rejected for poor credit or criminal history.

Poor credit is defined as:

  • Money still owed to previous landlords. This including, but not limited to judgments for damages, unpaid rent, and utilities.
  • There may be no judgments against an applicant by a landlord or apartment company.
  • Unpaid utilities (gas and electric), unless applicant can provide written proof from utility company that balance has been paid and can be placed in their name.
  • More than 6 delinquent outstanding accounts with the exception to medical and educational accounts.
  • Bankruptcy or foreclosure within the past 3 years with exceptions for those who have fully adjudicated or successfully completed consumer credit counseling through an accredited credit counseling agency. Written proof of the completed course must be provided. There may be a fee associated with some agencies; however the applicant is not required to use an agency that assesses a fee.

Criminal history items that would prompt denial include, but are not limited to:

  • Felony: Applicants with a felony within the last 10 years or 3 or more felonies in the last 20 years will be ineligible for tenancy.
  • Multiple Charges: 3 or more charges (including all misdemeanors) within 5 years. Examples included, but are not limited to, theft, public intoxication, stalking, or disorderly conduct.
  • Sexual Crimes: Include but are not limited to convictions for the offenses of rape, solicitation, pandering, indecent exposure or sex crimes.
  • Murder or Arson: All conviction will be deemed ineligible for tenancy.
  • Sex Offender Registry: All applicants will be deemed ineligible if listed on the sex offender registry.
  • Drug charges (does not include alcohol or marijuana where legal): Applicants with any non-felony drug charges or convictions within the last 5 years will be ineligible for residency.
  • Violent behavior: Includes evidence within the last 10 years of acts of violence or of any other conduct, which would constitute a danger or disruption to the peaceful occupancy of neighbors. Examples included, but not limited to assault, battery, going with intent, or child endangerment.

Step two:  We verify information given to us in the application

This may involve reviewing pay stubs, bank account information, and other information we need to understand to apply our rules. Because the verification process depends on other people and organizations (like employers and banks) providing information to us, this process can take two weeks to complete.

Step three:  Lease your apartment and move in

If a prospective resident qualifies for our housing, we will offer a lease and schedule a move-in.
 

Please note: Our process for selecting and approving residents is governed by a document called the Tenant Selection Plan.  This document is not a substitute for reading our entire tenant selection plan, additional terms and conditions may apply to people seeking housing.  Talk to your local property manager for more details about our rules and policies.