Our Comprehensive Application Process
At Sun Bay, we take pride in our thorough screening process to ensure the ideal living experience for all residents. Our application process consists of several essential components:
Residency Application
Every resident aged 18 and above living in the apartment must be listed on the lease and complete an individual application. Please note our “apply together, deny together” policy: if one applicant is denied, the other co-applicant will not receive approval. Reconsideration of the denied applicant’s application is not possible for 12 months. Once the lease commences, additional occupants cannot be added. For families with minor children, please remember to include them as “other occupants” on the application and lease.
Financial Qualifications
Financial stability is a key factor in our screening process. Applicants must demonstrate an income equal to or exceeding three times the base rent after taxes. Employment should be verifiable for a minimum of three months and within a 25-30 mile radius of Gainesville. *please note overtime pay is not considered part of the regular income
For University of Florida or Santa Fe College students, grants or loans are acceptable sources of income. Full-time University of Florida students may enlist a co-signer if needed, but all apartment occupants must be full-time UF students in such cases. Please have your co-signer fill out a separate application using your UF ID, so that we can consider the applications together.
*please note we do not include tuition or insurance waivers as income
We accept housing vouchers as a source of income, but the total income requirement is three times the monthly rent. For instance, if your voucher is $1,000, you would still need to earn an additional $2,600 for a combined total of $3,600 (3x the rent) for a standard two-bedroom.
Credit Assessment
While late payments or non-medical collections may impact your application, they will not necessarily result in denial. However, outstanding landlord debts or unsatisfied judgments will lead to application denial.
Criminal Background Check
We conduct a background check that considers felony convictions. While a felony conviction may impact your application, it will not automatically lead to denial. However, we do not accept applicants with convictions or nolo contendere pleas related to violent/sexual crimes or financial fraud.
Housing History
No prior evictions are accepted. If you currently have a lease and wish to move to Sun Bay before its expiration, you must obtain a release from your current apartment complex before we can approve your application. Applicants with more than two late payments within a one-year period will be disqualified. Sun Bay Management reserves the right to verify applicants’ residence history.
Lease Details
Our leases are structured to commence and conclude on specific dates. Availability of different unit styles may vary. We provide an option on the application for your preferred move-in date. Once the date is finalized and included in the lease, it cannot be changed to a later timeframe.
Application Fees
For full-time UF or Santa Fe students, the application fee is $50.00 per applicant. Non-students are subject to a fee of $100.00 per applicant.
Security Deposits
Upon approval of your application, the security deposit requirements are as follows:
- Non-students: $750.00
- Full-time undergraduate UF or Santa Fe students: $350.00
- Full-time UF graduate students: $250.00
Please note: These are subject to change depending on the application. To qualify for the above Undergraduate or Graduate security deposit, all residents intending on living in the apartment over 18 must meet the all application requirements along with the security deposit requirements.
For example: If one resident is an Undergraduate or Graduate and one resident is not, then you would NOT qualify for a student deposit. Also, if you are an Undergraduate or Graduate but do not meet the income requirement of 3X the monthly rent, we may approve your application with a higher deposit.
Important Note
Providing false information on your application may result in application denial.