Application Process
Download our application here
How does the application process work?
Once we receive your completed application and processing fee, it typically takes us 24 – 48 hours to process it.
Is there a fee for application processing?
Yes, individuals and legally married couples -$50
Additional applications for the same property-$35/application
What kind of information are you looking for on the application?
We are looking at 3 basic areas on your application – credit, residential verification and references, and employment verification. It is our responsibility to the property owner to verify that you can pay your rent. We give each application a numeric score based on the criteria below.
Credit: We run both a credit check and a background check on all applicants. We are looking at indicators like the number of accounts you have in good standing, collections, bankruptcy, and foreclosure, for example.
Residential Verification/References: When you fill out the application, please make sure that we have your current and previous landlords’ information present – it makes the application process much smoother. We ask your previous landlords very standard questions, such as: Did the tenant pay his/her rent on time? Would you re-rent to this tenant? Did the tenant receive all of his/her security deposit back? If not, why? If you are currently a property owner, this does count toward a positive score on your application.
Pet references: If you are a pet owner, we also ask your current and previous landlord about your pet/s (questions such as pet behavior and damage). We do charge pet rent -- $25 per dog per month, and $10 per cat per month.
Employment Verification: We verify your employment as part of the application process. Being employed means that you can pay the rent! Are you moving to Santa Fe for a new job? Then be sure to get a letter from your new boss verifying your employment. Are you lucky enough to not have to work for a living? Then, we need some kind of proof of funds/income, such as tax returns, a letter from a trust, or other proof of income.
You have submitted your application – what happens next?
We process your application. If the application is complete, it is usually a smooth process. Once the application is processed and qualifies, we contact the owner and give them your information (your name, your employment, and the terms of the lease). Please note that we never give a copy of the application to the owner – that is considered confidential information and we treat it as such.
The owner then either approves or denies the application. The owner has the final say.
If the owner accepts your application, then we write a lease. If the owner does not accept your application, you may want to select another property.
Please note that an approved application is good for three (3) months.
FAQs
1) I am interested in a property, but don’t want to go through the application process.
As Agents for Owners, we have to be able to vouch for you and your ability to pay rent. The application process is mandatory. Each adult in the property must fill out and submit an application.
2) I’m only in town today and HAVE to sign a lease today.
Selecting the right property for yourself and/or your family takes time. Because we also have an application process, it simply is not possible to see properties and sign a lease in one day. If you know you are coming to Santa Fe and need a long term rental, you are welcome to go ahead and submit an application to us prior to your arrival here. By being pre-approved, this process does make things go faster. Then, when you find the property you want to lease, we simply call the owner, get their ok, and write a lease for you.
Because of the convenience of fax and email, we do quite a few lease signings in this manner. You may not be able to see property and sign a lease in one day, but if you have identified a first and second choice of properties, then we can finalize the lease via fax and/or email.
3) I really, really like this property, but can’t move in for two more months.
Unfortunately, we cannot “hold” properties. Properties are leased on a first come, first served basis.
4) I have a good job, excellent residential references, but my credit is bad. Can I still rent from Kokopelli Property Management?
In this situation, we would recommend that you go ahead and apply, and we will let you know how your application looks. If we run your application and it is not strong, we will suggest that you find a guarantor (someone who can sign for you and guarantee your application and your rent). Another possibility is that you pay 1 year’s worth of rent up front.
5) Why do I have to pay pet rent?
We do not take a separate pet deposit. Instead, we collect monthly pet rent -- $25 per dog per month and $10 per cat per month.
6) How much is the deposit?
The deposit is always the same as one month’s full rent.
7) I want to sign a lease today, but I don’t have all of the money. Can I pay my deposit over two months?
At lease signing, all funds (first month’s rent and the security deposit) are due.
8) Do you offer any green housing?
At the present time, we do not have any green housing options available. In the future, this is something we hope to be able to provide.
9) I need to pay my rent on the 6th of each month.
Rent is always due on the first of each month. We do have a three (3) day grace period. On the 4th of each month, we post late fees. Late fees are 10% of the rent.
10) I am new to Santa Fe. What’s the best neighborhood for me?
If you have a question about a particular street/neighborhood, please call the Santa Fe Police at 505-428-3710. By law, we cannot discuss anything about the character of a neighborhood. We think the best way to get to know Santa Fe is to purchase a map book (we like the Horton Family Map Book, available at Borders Bookstore for about $15.00) and drive by some of our listings.
