How do I rent with Mainlander?
Here we answer all your questions about how to view a home, how to submit an application, and what our showing policies are. If you have any questions not answered here, please give us a call at 503-635-4477 or email us at info@mainlander.com and we would be happy to answer them for you.
I want to rent one of your properties. How can i do that?
Step 1: Set up an appointment to view the property
The easiest way to set up an appointment to view one of our available properties is to select the blue Showmojo link in the property description on the www.mainlander.com/portland-homes-for-rent. Our receptionist will be able to find a day and time that works for you, as well as give you any additional information about the property. We require everyone who rents from us to see the home prior to renting. The reason we have this requirement in place is to make sure the home is the best fit for you. We do our best to market rental properties as accurately as possible. However, sometimes a home can turn out different than expected when you see it in person. By viewing the home first we can do our best to avoid any surprises and make sure you are happy with your new home.
Step 2: Save your spot in line
After you have viewed a rental property and are interested in applying, you will want to call our office and put your name on the list for that particular property.
Step 3: Screening
If you are the first person who called in, you will be asked to provide proof of income and a copy of your driver's license. Upon timely receipt of those things, the management team will email you a link to complete the application online. You will also be asked to pay a $55 nonrefundable screening charge. Anybody 18 years or older will be required to submit an application and screening charge. If you are not first in line, you will be put on the back-up list and be contacted if you move up to the first position (meaning the people in front of you backed out or did not pass screening). We do not collect money or applications from anyone unless they have the opportunity to apply.
Step 4: Sign the lease
Once you have been approved to rent the home, you will need to sign the lease. The lease will usually be emailed to you. You will log on and sign electronically. At this point in time the security deposit and first month's rent is due. You will finalize your move-in date with the property manager and be given access to the online tenant portal where you can pay your rent, submit a maintenance request, or communicate with your property manager.
Why do you still show a home if someone is in the process of applying for it?
We have over 40 years of experience with renting out homes. Through that time we have fine-tuned the process to work for both the owner, and the potential renter. We continue to show homes that have a pending application because in our experience, the first person to call in on a home will be the final renter about 50% of the time. We will stop showing a home if it has several interested parties already in line or when an applicant has been approved and we receive funds. When you call to make the appointment we will let you know what information we have on the status of that particular property at that time. When we give you a reminder call for the appointment, we will do our best to let you know if the application status on the home has changed.
Can I view an occupied property?
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to not show occupied homes. We will market these homes as “coming soon”. While we recommend that you drive by the property you are interested in before viewing it, we ask that you refrain from walking on the property or peeking in windows to respect the current occupants and neighbors.
Why are other people at my showing?
We will typically only show a property once per day. If a property is vacant, we will allow anyone who is interested and available to schedule an appointment with our receptionist. We stagger our appointments in 15 minute increments to allow potential tenants time to view the property with the leasing agent. Be sure to arrive promptly on time, an be prepared to leave after your allotted 15 minutes. Often times there is someone with an appointment before or after you. If you are confident that you want to rent the property, we recommend you call our office immediately following the showing. Our leasing agents will not take any screening or application materials back to the office for you.
Why can I only view the property once?
With over 1,000 properties throughout Portland, our property managers and leasing agents are very busy working with owners, tenants, and potential tenants. Unfortunately this means that we cannot send someone out to let you view the property for a second time. The exception to this is if a the property is marked as “Self-Guided Tour” in Showmojo. In that case, you can set up an additional showing to view the home on your own.
How Do I Set up a showing ON SHOWMOJO?
PROSPECTIVE Tenant Documents
The following documents will help you through our rental process.
To access our rental screening criteria, please contact us directly at 503-635-4477