How to Apply

These are the standard approval criteria applied to every application. The specific requirements for an individual property are on its Zillow listing, under Overview → Show More.

• Income: Minimum net income of three times the monthly rent.
• Credit: Credit score of 550 or above, with a high on-time payment percentage.
• Rental history: No recent evictions.
• Utilities: Tenants are responsible for all utilities.
• Smoking: No smoking in any Yoak property.
• Pets: Permitted, with a one-time fee and a monthly rent increase.

If you do not fully qualify: you may be offered the option to pay an additional last month’s rent deposit. That deposit is applied to the final month of your tenancy — not to the end of the initial twelve-month lease.

Owners consider voucher applicants on equal footing with every other applicant. The minimum requirements are:

• Credit: Credit score of 560 or above.
• Payment history: 85–100% on-time payments.
• Rental history: No recent evictions.
• Income: Supplemental income which, combined with the voucher, totals approximately three times the monthly rent.

1. 1Find the property on ZillowEvery Yoak listing, including its open house dates and times, is published on Zillow. The Zillow listing is always the authoritative source.
2. 2Come to the open houseOpen house times are listed on each Zillow listing and on our properties page. No appointment is needed to attend.
3. 3Apply on ZillowAll prospective tenants must apply through Zillow. The fee is $35 per applicant, valid for 30 days and good for an unlimited number of Yoak properties. Every party must complete their own portion, with PDF proof of income attached — partial applications cannot be processed.
4. 4Wait for a decisionApplications are processed the evening of, or the day after, the open house. In the best case a decision follows within 24 to 72 hours of the initial open house.

Private showings: because of high demand, private showings are arranged only for pre-approved applicants who have already applied and been approved through Zillow. Once approved, you can tour any property we manage.

A leasing agent will arrange a deposit appointment at our Barberton office. The deposit holds the property for 30 days. When the deposit is received and a move-in date is set, the lease is sent to you electronically.

1. 1Switch the utilities into your nameThen provide us with the new account numbers.
2. 2Sign and initial the lease in fullEvery area of the lease needs to be completed.
3. 3Return to the Barberton officeTo pay any outstanding deposit or rental amounts and collect your keys.

• Initial deposits and payments: Cash, cashier’s check or money order, made payable to Yoak Properties and Construction Co.
• Monthly rent, once you have moved in: Due on or before the first of the month. Your leasing agent will set up your payment method with you at move-in.

Some properties are offered as lease to purchase. The intent is to help you build credit while securing the home: on-time payments are reported, which accelerates credit repair. The terms are:

• Rent does not build equity: No portion of the rent goes toward the purchase price. Fair market rent is charged, and you save toward the purchase independently.
• Your down payment does count: The down payment, or lease option amount, applies to the purchase price. The security deposit may also apply.
• You can buy at any point: The purchase is available at any time during the lease.
• If financing takes longer than a year: You renegotiate a lease extension with new rental and purchase amounts. Your down payment and purchase option carry over to the new lease.

Requests for an assistance or emotional support animal are handled under the Fair Housing Act. Supporting documentation should come from a mental health professional holding a current Ohio licence, follow a genuine and recent evaluation, and appear on official letterhead showing their name, licence number and contact details. The letter should describe how the animal helps with your symptoms; it does not need to disclose your diagnosis. Speak to your leasing agent and we will walk you through it.