RESIDENTIAL RENTALS GREAT FALLS, MT

Rental Qualification Criteria

At JK Property Management, we are committed to maintaining fair, consistent, and transparent rental criteria for all applicants. Please review the following requirements before submitting your application:

A Completed Application

All application forms must be fully, accurately, and honestly completed. Applications that are incomplete, contain false or outdated information, or intentionally omit required details—such as rental history, criminal background, or the presence of animals—will be automatically denied. If multiple applicants are applying for the same property, approval will be based on the most qualified applicant, not the order in which applications are received.

Sufficient Income 

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet monthly rent obligations. We require that no more than 35% of the household’s combined gross monthly income is allocated to rent. Income from multiple applicants may be combined to meet this requirement. Proof of income for the most recent 30 days is required in the form of official paystubs that include to following information: 

• Pay period dates
• Full name of applicant
• Pay rate
• Gross Income

Verified Good Credit

Creditworthiness is a factor in our approval process. We perform a credit check as part of the application process. Applicants with a credit score of 600 or lower may still qualify, but will be required to provide a double security deposit and/or a qualified co-signer in order to proceed.

Positive Rental History

We verify rental history for the past seven years by contacting previous landlords. Incomplete or incorrect contact information may result in denial of the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide accurate and complete landlord contact details, including:

• Email address
• Fax number
• Phone number

If you do not know the full contact information, it is your responsibility to obtain it. JK Property Management will not seek out missing information in order to maintain efficient processing times and to avoid delays that could impact other applicants.

If rental history cannot be verified, or if an applicant has no prior rental history, a double security deposit and/or a qualified co-signer may be required in order to proceed.

Criminal Record

Applicants with a felony conviction or any pending felony charges may be subject to denial based on the nature, severity, and circumstances of the offense.

Fair Housing Commitment

JK Property Management is fully committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, or any other protected class.

Individual applications are required from the following parties:

• All household members age 18 and older, regardless of head-of-household status or financial responsibility.
• Each co-signer, in addition to the primary applicant(s) who will reside in the rental unit.

One application per person is required to rent through JK Property Management. Once approved, your application allows you to be considered for any available rental property we manage.

It’s important to note:

• You do not need to submit a separate application for each property you're interested in.
• Applications are not unit-specific and are not tied to any one property.
• Because properties may rent quickly, a unit could be leased to another applicant while your application is still being processed.
• Approved applications remain on file for up to 6 months, giving you time to find a rental that fits your needs.
• Applications expire after 6 months.
• Application fees are non-refundable, regardless of specific unit availability.

Application processing typically takes 2–3 business days, provided all required information is submitted and previous landlords respond promptly to reference requests. Delays may occur if contact information is missing or if references are unresponsive, or if any other required information is missing from the application.

Yes—we do allow pets in many of our rentals! However, some guidelines, restrictions, fees, and deposits may apply.

JK Property Management offers a variety of pet-friendly properties. Each rental listing on our website will clearly indicate whether pets are allowed, along with any specific restrictions, such as the type, size, or number of animals permitted in that particular home.

General Pet Restrictions (Applicable to All Properties)

To ensure the safety, cleanliness, and compliance of our rental homes, the following pet-related rules apply to all properties:

• No puppies or kittens are allowed.
• A maximum of three animals per home, with no more than two dogs or two cats, in accordance with City of Great Falls animal ordinances.
• Visitors are not permitted to bring animals onto the property.
• Fostering animals or providing temporary shelter to any animal is not allowed.
• Pet-sitting for others is strictly prohibited.
• No animal may be brought onto the property without prior written approval, a signed lease addendum, and payment of all required pet fees and deposits in advance.
• Fish tanks up to 10 gallons are permitted without special approval.
• Snakes and rodents are strictly prohibited in multiplex properties (2 or more rental units).

All other animal types must be fully disclosed at the time of application and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the property, owner preferences, and other relevant factors.

Under federal and Montana fair housing laws, applicants requesting accommodations for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or service animal must provide the following documentation:

1. Declaration on your application

• Clearly indicate whether you will be bringing an ESA or service animal.

 2. Written Request for Accommodation

• A formal written request stating the need for the animal as an accommodation under the Fair Housing Act. Download Form

3. Verification of Need (ESA only)

• A letter from a qualified professional confirming that the animal provides emotional support related to a disability. Download Form
• In Montana, the professional must have an established therapeutic relationship with you for at least 30 days and include their license number and credentials

4. Service Animal Documentation (if applicable)

• No verification is required for service animals trained to perform specific tasks under federal law, but stating their use on the application is necessary.

  Legal Rights & Reference

• Montana’s statutes require landlords to consider ESA requests as reasonable accommodations and allow follow-up questions if need is not obvious. 
• Federal and state law prohibit refusal or extra fees for service animals and often ESAs under fair housing.
• Landlords cannot deny housing to qualified applicants with service animals, even in no-pet properties
• For ESAs, landlords must waive pet restrictions but may collect damage compensation through the security deposit—not extra fees.

For full details, see Montana Code Annotated § 70‑24‑114 on ESA documentation requirements

Yes—some of our properties do accept Section 8 and other housing assistance vouchers.

If you plan to use a voucher or housing assistance program to pay all or part of your rent and/or security deposit, you must indicate this clearly on your rental application.

• All available property listings on our website will clearly indicate whether that property is eligible for housing assistance vouchers.
• Please review the listing details carefully before applying.

Additional Notes:

• Acceptance of vouchers may vary by property and owner preference.
• All applicants must still meet our standard rental qualification criteria, including income verification, background screening, and rental history.
• Properties will not be held without the payment of the full security deposit

For questions about voucher-eligible properties, feel free to contact our office directly.

1. Security Deposit

• A full security deposit is required to hold a property.
• Partial payments will not be accepted.
• Properties will not be reserved or removed from the market until the full security deposit is received.

Important:

Once the deposit is paid, pro-rated rent begins to accrue immediately, unless an exception is granted due to the property not being rent-ready.

 For example:  If a deposit is placed on January 1st, but the tenant chooses not to move in until January 15th, rent is still charged starting January 1st.

2. Move-In Costs

Before receiving keys and taking possession of the unit, the following must be paid in full:

• Pro-rated rent
• Any applicable fees (such as pet rent or lease administrative fees)
• Security deposit (if not already paid)

3. Utilities Setup

Some properties require tenants to set up utility accounts in their name prior to move-in. Proof of utility setup must be provided before keys will be released.

4. Liability Insurance

All tenants are required to maintain Limited Liability Insurance coverage.

 You may either:

• Provide proof of your own renter’s insurance policy, or
• Enroll in the Great American Insurance Plan through your tenant portal (includes a low monthly fee and no deductible).

5. Pet Fees (If Applicable)

If you’re moving in with pets, you will be required to:

• Pay an additional $25 per pet in monthly rent
• Pay an additional $500 security deposit per animal

Being prepared with these items will help ensure a smooth move-in experience. If you have any questions about specific costs or your move-in timeline, our team is happy to assist!

Yes. All tenants are required to carry limited liability insurance as a condition of leasing with JK Property Management.

Minimum Required Coverage

You must have insurance that includes:

• At least $100,000 in liability coverage for damage to the landlord’s property
• Coverage for fire, smoke, explosion, water damage, and sewer/drain backups
• JK Property Management must be listed as an interested party 

What If I Don’t Have My Own Insurance?

If you don’t obtain your own qualifying policy, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Landlord-Required Resident Liability (LRRL) insurance program. Here’s what to know:

• LRRL only covers damage to the property (not your personal belongings, injuries, or hotel costs).
• You’ll be charged $13.00/month ($10.50 for coverage + $2.50 admin fee).
• You can opt out at any time by providing proof of your own qualifying coverage.

Proof of Insurance Is Required

You must provide proof of coverage before move-in and at each lease renewal. Without it, you will automatically be enrolled in the LRRL plan and charged $13.00/month.

What’s the Difference Between Renter’s Insurance and Landlord-Required Resident Liability Insurance (LRRL)?

Understanding the difference between these two types of insurance can help you make the best decision for protecting yourself and your belongings during your lease.

Renter’s Insurance (Recommended Yet Optional)

Renter’s Insurance is a comprehensive policy that protects you, the tenant.

It typically includes:

• Personal property coverage (your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.)
• Liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage you may cause to others
• Loss of use coverage (helps pay for temporary housing if your unit becomes uninhabitable)

Landlord-Required Resident Liability Insurance (LRRL-Required)

LRRL is a limited policy designed to meet the lease’s insurance requirement by covering damage you may cause to the landlord’s property—but it does not protect you personally.

It includes:

• $100,000 in liability coverage for damage to the unit caused by things like fire, water, or smoke
• No coverage for your personal belongings
• No coverage for injury claims or hotel costs if the property becomes uninhabitable