Frequently Asked Questions

MINNESOTA SCREENING CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS

Age: Applicants must be 18 years of age or provide proof of emancipation.

Attitude: We reserve the right to refuse rental to anyone:
(1) under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during the application process,
(2) rude, belligerent, or using profanity when communicating with staff and employees, or
(3) asked by staff to leave the premises and refuses.
Fair Housing Statement: We are a fair housing provider and do not discriminate against persons based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.
Denial: Within 14 days of rejecting a rental application, We will notify the applicant in writing of the denial and identify the criteria the applicant failed to meet.
All applications, including credit verification and background checks, are processed by First Advantage.
First Advantage is an agency that performs all screening activities for applicants. An applicant’s credit history, criminal history, and application are kept confidential and are not disclosed to any other person or entity without the applicant’s express authorization.

Please direct all inquiries regarding your file to First Advantage at:
Address : First Advantage Background Services Corp
Consumer Center
P.O. Box 105108
Atlanta, GA 30348
Telephone: 888-517-8324

Income: Each applicant must demonstrate a minimum of 2.5 times the monthly rent of the proposed unit to ensure the applicant’s ability to pay the monthly rent. However, an applicant will be allowed an exception to the income requirement if the applicant can demonstrate a history of successful rent payment with the same or lower ratio of income to rent. If an applicant fails to meet the requirements of this section, Landlord, at its sole discretion, may approve the applicant with conditions of pre-payment of rent or additional security deposit in an amount not to exceed state law or local ordinances.

Evictions and Rental History: Applicants must have a positive housing history. We strongly prefer at least 2 years of recent positive rental history verified by professional landlord references; however, insufficient rental history will not form a basis for denial unless the applicant in bad faith withholds rental history information that might otherwise form a basis for denial.An applicant’s eviction and rental history will be reviewed and considered as follows:
a. An eviction action pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504 or other equivalents in other states that occurred 3 or more years before the applicant submits the application will NOT form a basis for denial.
b. An eviction action pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504 or other equivalents in other states that did not result in a judgment entered against the applicant will NOT form a basis for denial.
c. An eviction action pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 504 or other equivalents in other states that occurred less than 3 years from the date the applicant submits the application AND resulted in a judgment entered against the applicant WILL form a basis for denial.
d. Verification, from a professional landlord reference, that applicant owes prior or current landlord for rent, damages, or related charges under lease agreement WILL form a basis for denial, unless the applicant obtained a judicial finding that the applicant is not responsible for the rent, damages, or related charges.

Credit: A credit report will be run on every applicant. A credit score, by itself, will not form the basis for denial, but information within the credit report may be used to form the basis of a denial of the application if the information in the credit report demonstrates a failure to pay rent or utility bills. Insufficient credit history will not form the basis for denial unless the applicant, in bad faith, withholds credit history information that  might otherwise form a basis for denial. If an applicant fails to meet the requirements of this section, we, at our sole discretion, may approve the applicant with conditions of pre-payment of rent or additional security deposit in an amount not to exceed state law or local ordinances.

Criminal History: Any criminal history, NOT included in one of the exceptions below, will be a basis for denial. Prior to denying any applicant based on criminal history, we will consider supplemental evidence provided by the applicant, if provided at the time of application submittal.

Exceptions:
a. Any arrest or charge that did not result in conviction of a crime;
b. Participation in or completion of a diversion or a deferral of judgment program, including but
not limited to pre-charge or pretrial diversion, stay of adjudication, continuance for dismissal,
or continuance without prosecution;
c. Any conviction that has been vacated or expunged;
d. Any conviction for a crime that is no longer illegal in the state of Minnesota;
e. Any conviction or any other determination or adjudication in the juvenile justice system, except under procedures pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 260B.130;
f. A petty misdemeanor offense;
g. Any misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony conviction stemming from the following traffic offenses: reckless driving, driving without a license, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and DUI that did not result in additional charges for injury to a person;
h. Any conviction for misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offenses for which the dates of sentencing are older than 3 years;
i. Except as indicated in paragraph (j) below, any criminal conviction for felony offenses for which the dates of sentencing are older than 7 years; however, an applicant may be denied on the basis of a conviction of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802), or for those same offenses that mandate denial of tenancy in federally assisted housing subject to federal regulations, including but not limited to when any member of the household is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program; or
j. Any criminal conviction for the following felony offenses for which the dates of sentencing are older than 10 years: first-degree assault (Minnesota Statutes section 609.221), first-degree arson (Minnesota Statutes section 609.561), aggravated robbery (Minnesota Statutes section 609.245), first-degree murder (Minnesota Statutes section 609.185), second-degree murder (Minnesota Statutes section 609.19), third-degree murder (Minnesota Statutes 609.195), firstdegree manslaughter (Minnesota Statutes 609.20), kidnapping (Minnesota Statutes section 609.25), or first-degree criminal sexual conduct (Minnesota Statutes section 609.342).

PRE-LEASE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

Management agrees that subject to the condition(s) listed below, this Prelease Deposit will be held by Management and upon acceptance of the applicant to the rental unit, the Prelease Deposit will be applied and converted to the Security Deposit according to Minn. Stat. 504B.175

1. If the applicant cancels their application after 48 hours the Prelease Deposit will be retained as liquidated damages.
2. If the applicant is approved and fails to sign a lease with Management by the Lease Beginning Date, the Prelease Deposit will not be refunded under any circumstances. The applicant understands
whether or not they sign a lease for the unit that Management has detrimentally relied on the applicant’s representations that they will sign a lease with Management by the Lease Beginning Date.
3. Prior to taking possession of the unit, the applicant must sign the lease and pay one full month’s rent that is owed to Management upon move-in. The applicant understands that once Management accepts the person(s) in the rental unit that Management has taken the rental unit off the market and is no longer showing the rental property to prospective applicants whether a lease is signed or not.
4. Prelease deposits do not include the payment of a reasonable applicant screening fee. Once Management accepts the applicant to the rental unit, the Prelease Deposit is applied and converted to the Security Deposit (not the first month’s rent) and is subject to the following provisions as well as Minnesota Statute section 504B.178:
? All rent and other amounts due under the lease have been paid in full;
? Each and every provision of the lease has been fully performed;
? The proper “Notice to Vacate” was given;
? No damage to the property beyond normal wear and tear;
? No permanently attached fixtures have been removed from the premises;
? All keys and Landlord property are returned;
? All debris, rubbish, and discards, are placed in proper rubbish containers and are removed from the property;
? All appliances, floors and windows have been cleaned and approved by Management;
5. The tenant furnishes a mailing address or delivery instructions. If no mailing address or delivery instructions are left with Management, tenant understands that the security deposit itemization letter and security deposit, less any amount of the security deposit that is withheld in accordance with applicable Minnesota statutes, will be mailed in an envelope, postage prepaid to the tenant’s last known address. It is the tenant’s responsibility to either forward a new address or forward his/her mail at his/her last known address so that management can forward the security deposit itemization and the tenant will receive the same.
6. Until a mailing address or delivery instructions is received by Management, the 3-week period to return a security deposit itemization does not begin to toll.
7. Interest to be computed on the security deposit according to Minnesota law;
8. Any 3rd-party fees generated from processing the pre-lease deposit, such as credit card fees or PayPal fees, are considered administrative fees that are separate from and in addition to the release deposit. Administrative fees will not be refunded under any circumstances and will not be applied to the security deposit under any circumstances.
9. This document becomes part of the lease and is an addendum to the lease once the pre-lease deposit is converted to the security deposit.
10. When approved and accepted, the applicant agrees to sign a lease before possession is given and to pay the first month’s rent upon signing lease or taking possession.
11. Management will return the Prelease Deposit to the applicant only if:
a. Management rejects the Applicant’s application, except when the applicant has not provided required information/documentation in a timely manner causing the unit to be held for 48 hours or more, or
b. Management cannot deliver possession due to another tenant’s unlawful holdover in the
premises. “Return” means postmarked within 7 days of the occurrence of either (a) or (b), except that upon the applicant’s request, Management may destroy the payment or hold it for retrieval by the applicant instead of returning it by mail.
12. The applicant agrees not to make any claim for damages by reason of non-acceptance of their application or this agreement. When the lease is signed by Management and Applicant, the Prelease deposit is applied and converted to the Security Deposit and subject to the terms and conditions of this document and further subject to the terms and conditions of the lease, community policies, and the published rules and regulations of Management. Management is a fair housing provider and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, with regard to public assistance, disability, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.
13. Applicant acknowledges reading this document in its entirety and a copy of this agreement will be
placed in the tenant file or mailed to the applicant at the address so identified and that the applicant
has been duly informed that said property is operated by Investment Property Group.
14. The applicant authorizes Investment Property Group to do a complete investigation of all information provided in the application submitted. The signature below authorizes any company listed in the application to release rental, job history (including salary) and criminal record information.
15. THE APPLICANT UNDERSTANDS THAT IF THE APPLICANT CHANGES THEIR MIND ABOUT RENTING THE PROPERTY AFTER 48 HOURS, THE PRELEASE DEPOSIT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. THE APPLICANT IS CAUTIONED NOT TO SUBMIT A PRELEASE DEPOSIT UNLESS HE/SHE IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN HE/SHE DESIRES TO RENT THE PROPERTY.

All of our units are professionally painted, maintenanced and cleaned by a contracted company that does all of our unit turns. Each unit is inspected before move in. 

Yes, we have a Maintenance Supervisor along with a full-time MT, and 24-hour emergency maintenance that is available every day for emergencies after hours. 

You can call or come down to the rental office and we can put in a work order for you or you can use the online resident portal and submit work orders at any time.

 In the order they were received and by priority. 

No, you do not need to be present. However, you do have to list it in the work order that we are allowed to enter. 

You are allowed to decorate, however upon move out the unit needs to be returned in the condition that you moved in with. We do take into consideration what's normal wear and tear.

 If the office is open you can come down to the office and show proof that you’re a resident and we can get you new keys. There is a key replacement fee, if it is after hours, you will need to call a locksmith.

The Knollwood Towers West Apartments offers studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom floor plans. Please visit the Floor Plans page to learn more. 

Yes, we do offer pet-friendly apartments. Please contact us for all the details. 

Fitness room, covered garage parking, plus there is a park and tennis court across the parking lot. 

Yes, we have on and off street parking along with coverage garage spaces available. 

 $300 pet fee (non-refundable) $300 pet deposit that is refundable, and $40 a month in pet rent per pet for up to two pets. 

We do follow a restricted breed list. Please contact us for more details.  

All our units have a stove & fridge, our 1 and 2 bedrooms also have a dishwasher. 

No, not at this time. 

6-month leases are the shortest lease available. 

Corporate leases are subject to approval by a regional manager.

We will place it in a secured room. You will have 7 days to pick up your package. 

The fitness center is open daily from 5:00 AM-11:00 PM.

Treadmill, elliptical, and weights are all available at the gym.

Quiet hours are after 10:00 PM, we do not have communal spaces fees.

There are no utilities that are included in the rent. You are responsible for all utilities. 

No, tours are free.

We do accept walk-ins. Please contact us if you wish to schedule a tour here. 

Our rental office is on-site and we are open Monday - Friday 9am -6pm and Saturdays 10am - 5pm.

You can apply right on our website, or a paper application in the office. 

3-5 business days.

The security deposit ranges from $500 to equal up to 1 months rent, and 1st months rent upon move in. 

In the office and online through your resident portal on our website. 

You will get a resident portal sheet with instructions and a specific resident code to create your online account. 

Yes, with a $100,000 liability amount 

We recommend Xfinity/Comcast

You will not need to set anything up, all utilities will be billed on your ledger for an easy one-stop payment option.

Yes, we offer a $300 referral bonus. 

A guest can stay up to 14 days.

No, the security deposit will not transfer over. 

No, if you want someone to take over your lease, they would need to come down and apply. If they are approved, then we can add them on as a leaseholder and release you, but the deposit will stay with the unit. 

You will be required to give us 2 months' notice plus a lease term fee of 2 times your monthly rent 

Knollwood Towers West is only 15 minutes away from downtown Minneapolis.

Yes, there is a bus line that runs right off Blake Road and Excelsior. 

Knollwood Shopping Center, Target, Cub Foods, Hopkins DT Main Street 

Hopkins public schools district 270

Edina Dog Park is 1.3 miles away 

Cedar Lake Trail is a bike trail close to Knollwood Towers West.

Knollwood Shopping Center is where some residents shop.

Starbucks, located inside of Target.

We are conveniently located right off Lake Street and Blake which is right off Hwy 7.

Lake Street and Blake Road are the closest cross streets. Please visit our MAPS page for more directions.