Tenant Screening Criteria & Pre-Application Notice
HAZELNUT HOUSE LLC (“we”, “our”, “ours”, “us”)
Prospective Tenant / Applicant (“you”, “your”, “yours”)
This notice is provided in compliance with Washington State law (RCW 59.18.257) and the City of Tukwila. By submitting an application to rent at Hazelnut House, you acknowledge that you have been provided with access to this notice prior to applying or paying any screening fee.
Reusable Tenant Screening Reports
In accordance with RCW 59.18.257(1)(a)(iv), we do not accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports (also known as portable screening reports). All prospective residents must complete our property's specific application and background check through our designated screening portal.
Information We Access & Data Privacy
To evaluate your application, we access the following information:
Credit reports: Credit score, payment history, debt accounts, and public financial records.
Criminal & public records: Local, state, and national criminal conviction history, sex offender registries, and public court records.
Independent court records: We independently verify county and state court dockets (including civil, eviction, and small claims filings) using publicly available government databases outside of automated screening reports.
Rental & income verification: Verifications from past landlords, property managers, employers, or income documentation provided by you.
Data Privacy Notice: Primary screening is conducted through our secure third-party vendor (TurboTenant / TransUnion). We do not see, receive, or store your Social Security Number (SSN) or full financial account numbers unless you upload unredacted documents containing those numbers.
Credit Freezes / Security Blocks: If you have placed a security freeze on your credit file with TransUnion, Equifax, or Experian, it is your responsibility to lift/thaw the freeze prior to applying so our screening service can pull your report.
Application Requirements & Screening Fees
Age & Legal Capacity: You must be at least 18 years of age (or a legally emancipated minor) to submit an application and execute a lease agreement as a leaseholder. Any occupant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult leaseholder. You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID, or international ID).
Room Occupancy Limits: Room occupancy limits are strictly enforced based on square footage and property layout:
Small Rooms: Limited to a maximum of 1 occupant.
Large Rooms: May accommodate a maximum of 2 occupants with prior approval and payment of an additional-occupant fee.
Separate Applications: Every adult occupant must submit a separate application, pass screening, and be listed on the lease agreement. Submitting an application that exceeds a room's published maximum occupancy will result in application denial.
Upfront Documentation & Completeness: All applications are evaluated based strictly on the information and documents provided at the time of submission. If you have mitigating circumstances, proof of criminal rehabilitation, or other relevant documentation, you must upload or attach these materials at the time you submit your application. We do not hold vacant rooms, pause screening, or re-evaluate applications for documentation provided after a decision has been made. Failure to submit required or supporting documentation upfront is the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Screening Fee & Refund Policy: The application screening fee is $45.00 per adult applicant. This fee covers the actual cost of background and credit reports. Screening fees are non-refundable once paid and submitted through the screening portal.
Evaluation of Multiple Applications: We may receive and review multiple applications for the same available room. If multiple complete applications are received, we evaluate candidates against our published screening criteria and offer tenancy to the applicant who most strongly meets or exceeds our financial, rental, and safety standards (such as income-to-rent ratio, credit history, criminal background, and deposit timeliness). Because vacant rooms incur ongoing operational costs, preference may be given to complete, qualified applications with an earlier proposed move-in date and/or a longer proposed lease duration.
Pets & Assistance Animals (Service Animals & ESAs)
No Pets Policy: Pets of any kind are strictly prohibited at Hazelnut House. Applying with or bringing an unapproved pet will result in application denial.
Assistance Animals (Service Animals & ESAs): Assistance animals are not pets. We evaluate reasonable accommodation requests under the federal Fair Housing Act and Washington State law (RCW 49.60).
Service Animals: If your disability-related need is not obvious, we may ask: (1) Is the animal required because of a disability? and (2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): You must request an accommodation and provide reliable documentation at the time of application from a state-licensed healthcare professional who has an established, ongoing professional relationship with you. Paid online certificates, instant registry listings, or flat-fee "ESA IDs" from the internet are not accepted.
Health & Safety Exceptions: An accommodation request may be denied if the specific animal poses a direct threat to resident safety, causes severe documented health hazards to existing residents sharing common spaces, or causes substantial physical damage to the property.
Smoking, Vaping & Tobacco Policy (RCW 59.18.060)
100% Smoke-Free Property: Smoking or vaping any substance (tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarettes, cigars, or pipes) is strictly prohibited everywhere on the property, both indoors and outdoors.
Smoker Status & Denial: Smokers and tobacco/vape users are not a protected class under federal or Washington State law. We will deny applications if an applicant smokes or vapes, intends to smoke or vape on or near the property, or brings noticeable smoke or vape odor into the home.
Income & Financial Stability
Income Threshold: Your total verifiable monthly gross income (before taxes) must equal at least 2.5 times the monthly cost of your assigned room (weekly base rent annualized/monthly plus estimated utilities).
Housing Subsidies & Vouchers: If you receive a government rent subsidy or housing voucher, the 2.5 times income requirement applies only to your personal out-of-pocket share of the rent (RCW 59.18.255). Any voucher usage is subject to approval, inspection standards, and contract requirements established by your issuing housing authority.
Proof of Income: Acceptable documents include recent pay stubs (covering 60–90 days), direct-deposit bank statements showing regular earnings, W-2 forms, tax returns, or official job offer letters.
Low Income or Student Alternatives: If you do not meet the monthly income requirement, you may still qualify by providing a qualified co-signer (guarantor) or demonstrating sufficient liquid financial reserves (savings or bank balances).
Co-Signer (Guarantor) Criteria
If an applicant uses a co-signer to satisfy income requirements, the co-signer must complete a separate application and pay the screening fee. Because co-signers guarantee the lease alongside their own living expenses, co-signers are held to higher financial standards:
Income Threshold: Verifiable monthly gross income equal to at least 4.0 times the total monthly room cost (rent plus estimated utilities).
Credit & Financial Standing: A minimum credit score of 650, a consistent history of on-time payments, and no active collections, charge-offs, or delinquent debt.
Housing History: No unresolved landlord balances, utility collections, or eviction court judgments within the last 7 years.
Non-Occupant Status: Co-signers act strictly as financial guarantors and are not granted occupancy rights, keys, or access codes to Hazelnut House.
Housing & Credit History
Eviction History: We will deny your application if you have an active, pending eviction court case, or a past court judgment or settlement for an unlawful detainer (eviction) within the last 7 years.
Housing Debt: Active collections, unpaid balances, or court judgments owed to past landlords, property management companies, or utility providers will result in an automatic denial.
Landlord References: You must demonstrate a positive rental history from previous non-relative landlords showing timely rent payments and proper care of the property.
Thin or International Credit: A lack of established US credit history (for example, if you recently moved to the United States) will not cause an automatic denial, provided you meet our income requirements and have no negative housing debt.
Non-Housing Collections: Minor unpaid bills unrelated to housing (such as medical debt, student loans, or small consumer accounts under $500) will be evaluated in context and will not automatically disqualify you.
Domestic Violence Protections: In accordance with RCW 59.18.580, we will not deny your application based on negative rental history or court records that directly resulted from you being a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. To claim this protection, you are responsible for providing at the time of application supporting documentation linking the adverse record to the abuse (such as a police report, court order, or written statement from a qualified victim advocate, healthcare professional, or attorney).
Criminal History & Public Safety (Co-Living Standard)
Hazelnut House is a co-living community where residents share common areas (kitchens, living rooms, hallways, and bathrooms). We screen criminal records specifically to protect resident safety and quiet enjoyment.
7-Year Lookback Period: In accordance with Washington State law (RCW 19.182.040), we screen for criminal convictions up to 7 years from the date of disposition, release, or parole. Unproven arrest records without conviction are not considered.
Minor Infractions Excluded: Traffic citations, parking tickets, and minor non-violent civil infractions are generally excluded and will not affect your application unless they show a pattern of reckless/negligent behavior or are accompanied by other adverse factors.
Disqualifying Offenses: We will deny your application if you have a conviction within the last 7 years or an active pending formal court charge for:
Violent crimes: Assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or any physical violence or threat of violence against another person.
Sex offenses: Any crime requiring sex offender registration or involving sexual misconduct.
Property hazards: Arson, burglary, malicious mischief, or intentional destruction of property.
Drug manufacturing/distribution: Illegal manufacturing, sale, or distribution of controlled substances.
Dangerous misdemeanors: A documented pattern of severe, recent offenses (such as multiple DUI or reckless driving convictions).
Individualized Review: If a criminal record appears on your report, you may submit additional information (such as proof of rehabilitation, time elapsed, or mitigating circumstances) for our review before a final decision is made. Note: Arrest records without formal court charges are not considered.
Consumer Reporting Agency & Your Rights
Screening Agency Details: Consumer credit and background reports are processed through
TransUnion Rental Screening Solutions / TurboTenant
PO Box 800, Woodlyn, PA 19094 | Phone: 1-866-775-0961 | Email: TURSSDispute@transunion.comAdverse Action Rights: If we deny your application or require a higher deposit or co-signer, we will provide you with a written Adverse Action Notice detailing the reasons. Under federal law (FCRA) and Washington State law (RCW 19.182), you have the right to obtain a free copy of your report from the screening agency within 60 days and to dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information.
© 2026 Hazelnut House LLC. All rights reserved. Published for prospective applicants of Hazelnut House.