Question 1

Where are your rentals?

Accepted Answer

Primarily De Soto and Festus, Missouri in Jefferson County. Browse current homes on ichirentals.com/homes.

Question 2

How do I apply for a home?

Accepted Answer

Tour the home, complete before-you-apply prep, then submit the ichirentals.com pre-qualification form. If you pass, you are invited to RentRedi screening.

Question 3

Does everyone 18+ need to apply?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each adult age 18 or older who will live in the home must apply and complete screening through RentRedi.

Question 4

What are the baseline qualifications to rent?

Accepted Answer

Pre-qualification checks gross household income at least 3× monthly housing cost (including pet rent when applicable), self-reported credit above 550, no self-reported evictions, at least a 12-month lease term, occupancy limits, and smoke-free indoor policy. Full criteria are on ichirentals.com/qualification-requirements.

Question 5

What causes an automatic pre-qualification deny?

Accepted Answer

Pre-qual fails immediately if income is below 3× rent (plus pet rent when applicable), credit score is 550 or below, any self-reported eviction, lease under 12 months, more than 2 people per bedroom, or three or more unrelated adults age 18+.

Question 6

How long does the background screening process take?

Accepted Answer

Once you submit comprehensive screening through RentRedi, TransUnion background and credit reports typically clear within 24 to 48 hours. Some records may take longer depending on jurisdiction.

Question 7

Is my pre-qual result final?

Accepted Answer

No. Pre-qualification uses only the answers you enter on ichirentals.com. Final approval requires TransUnion screening through RentRedi, verification of income and references, and executed lease documents.

Question 8

What happens after I'm approved?

Accepted Answer

You typically have 48 hours after conditional approval to pay your security deposit via RentRedi and complete lease signing before move-in hub tasks unlock.

Question 9

How soon do I need to move in after applying?

Accepted Answer

We expect move-in as soon as practical—generally within about 14 days of your application when the home is available. If you are not ready to move soon, the unit may be offered to another qualified applicant.

Question 10

How long is my application valid?

Accepted Answer

Your application and screening results are generally valid for 30 days. If you do not complete deposit, lease signing, or move-in steps in time, the home may be relisted and you may need to reapply.

Question 11

Can I apply to a different home instead?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, if you have already completed screening and the other home is available. Email office@ichirentals.com and our team will advise whether a transfer is possible.

Question 12

What if my application is denied?

Accepted Answer

If pre-qualification fails, you receive an immediate result on ichirentals.com with the reason. If full screening denies you, we notify you by email. RentRedi/TransUnion may provide additional information about your screening results. The home may be released to other applicants.

Question 13

How long are leases?

Accepted Answer

We typically offer 24-month leases as our baseline. Requests under 12 months will not pass automatic pre-qualification. Shorter terms between 12 and 24 months may be considered with manager review.

Question 14

What household income is required?

Accepted Answer

Gross household income must be at least 3× the monthly housing cost for the home you are applying for, including listed rent plus $35/month pet rent when you declare dogs or cats.

Question 15

What credit standard do you use?

Accepted Answer

Pre-qualification requires a self-reported score of 550 or higher. Final decisions use TransUnion screening through RentRedi. Open bankruptcies are not approved.

Question 16

How do I check my credit score for free?

Accepted Answer

Use a free service such as Experian, Credit Karma, or your bank's credit tool to check your score before applying. Enter an accurate self-reported number on ichirentals.com — inaccurate answers appear in RentRedi screening.

Question 17

What are your occupancy limits?

Accepted Answer

Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus one additional person for the household, consistent with fair housing standards and property size.

Question 18

Do you accept applicants with evictions or debt to a prior landlord?

Accepted Answer

Self-reported evictions fail automatic pre-qualification. Outstanding debt to a prior landlord may require review or guarantor support — contact office@ichirentals.com before applying.

Question 19

How is criminal history reviewed?

Accepted Answer

TransUnion criminal screening is part of RentRedi. Felony convictions within six years of the application date are generally denied (subject to applicable law). Felonies for sex- or terrorism-related offenses are denied regardless of date. Pre-qualification is not a substitute for this review.

Question 20

Can I use a guarantor or cosigner?

Accepted Answer

Guarantors may be considered in some cases when income or credit needs supplementation. Contact office@ichirentals.com before you apply to discuss requirements.

Question 21

Are smokers or vapers allowed?

Accepted Answer

All Ichiban rental homes are smoke-free and vape-free indoors. Smoking and vaping inside the home are prohibited and enforced in the lease.

Question 22

What income documents should I prepare?

Accepted Answer

Prepare recent pay stubs, employer contact information, tax returns or benefit statements if applicable, and documentation for any additional income sources before screening.

Question 23

What upfront fees are required before I move in?

Accepted Answer

Expect RentRedi screening fees, security deposit, first month's rent or prorated rent per your lease, and any approved pet fees. See ichirentals.com/fees for details.

Question 24

What is included in the listed rent?

Accepted Answer

Listed rent is base monthly rent only. It does not include utilities, pet rent, pet fees, screening, or other charges unless your lease or listing says otherwise.

Question 25

Are any utilities included in the monthly rent?

Accepted Answer

Usually no. Tenants are responsible for utilities unless your lease or the home listing explicitly states otherwise.

Question 26

How do I pay rent?

Accepted Answer

After move-in, pay through the RentRedi tenant app via bank transfer (ACH). RentRedi may pass through a small ACH fee. We do not accept rent via Zelle, Venmo, wire, or Cash App.

Question 27

Can I pay deposits with cash, Zelle, or a money order?

Accepted Answer

No. Screening, deposits, and rent are paid only through RentRedi. We do not accept Zelle, wire, Cash App, Venmo, or in-person cash for deposits.

Question 28

Is rent prorated if I move in after the 20th of the month?

Accepted Answer

Your lease will state how rent is calculated for a partial first month. Proration terms are confirmed at lease signing—ask our office if you have a specific move-in date.

Question 29

Is renters insurance required?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Tenants must maintain renters insurance with liability coverage meeting lease requirements before or at move-in. See ichirentals.com/renters-insurance.

Question 30

What is your pet policy and are there breed restrictions?

Accepted Answer

Dogs and cats may be approved with fees and breed restrictions. Restricted breeds include pit bull types, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire terriers. See qualification requirements and fees pages.

Question 31

Do dog owners need separate bite insurance?

Accepted Answer

Dog owners may need additional liability coverage or bite coverage depending on the dog and lease terms. Details are confirmed during lease signing.

Question 32

Do you charge pet fees for service or emotional support animals?

Accepted Answer

Service animals are not charged pet fees. Emotional support animals are evaluated under fair housing rules — pet fees may not apply when valid documentation is verified.

Question 33

What documentation do you require for an emotional support animal (ESA)?

Accepted Answer

We require reliable documentation from a qualified professional establishing the disability-related need for the animal, consistent with fair housing guidance.

Question 34

What happens if ESA documentation is not verified before move-in?

Accepted Answer

If documentation is not verified before move-in, standard pet policies and fees may apply until accommodation is approved.

Question 35

How do I request a reasonable accommodation for a service or support animal?

Accepted Answer

Email office@ichirentals.com with your request and supporting documentation. We review requests consistent with fair housing law.

Question 36

How do property tours work?

Accepted Answer

Schedule a walkthrough with our leasing team before you apply. We do not offer self-guided or lockbox tours without staff coordination—this protects you and the property.

Question 37

When do I get keys and access to the move-in hub?

Accepted Answer

Keys and move-in hub access are issued after your security deposit clears, the lease is fully executed, and move-in is scheduled with our office.

Question 38

Is smoking or vaping allowed inside the home?

Accepted Answer

No. All Ichiban rental homes are smoke-free and vape-free indoors. Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the home and are enforced in your lease. Non-smoking households are preferred in our applicant queue.

Question 39

Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs?

Accepted Answer

Tenants handle day-to-day care and should report issues promptly in RentRedi. Landlord responsibilities cover structural systems and items defined in your lease. Submit urgent problems immediately; non-urgent items can often be grouped in the first two weeks per your move-in checklist.

Question 40

What if I need to break my lease early?

Accepted Answer

Early lease termination is governed by your lease and Missouri law. Contact office@ichirentals.com as soon as possible to discuss options and any fees.

Question 41

Where are legitimate Ichiban listings?

Accepted Answer

Legitimate listings appear only on ichirentals.com/homes and through our official application process. We do not collect rent outside RentRedi.

Question 42

Do you list homes on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist?

Accepted Answer

We may share listings on social platforms for visibility, but applications go through ichirentals.com and payments go through RentRedi only — never through DMs or peer payment apps.

Question 43

How can I tell if a listing is a scam?

Accepted Answer

Red flags include payment outside RentRedi, wire or Zelle requests, rent far below market, no real tour, or pressure to pay immediately. See ichirentals.com/fraud-prevention.

Question 44

Will an Ichiban employee ever ask for my password?

Accepted Answer

Never. We will not ask for passwords by email or text. Application and rent payments use official sites only—if someone pressures you otherwise, it is likely a scam.

Question 45

I think I was scammed—what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Report to local law enforcement, report the fraudulent ad on the platform where you found it, and email office@ichirentals.com so we can document impersonation.

Question 46

Where can I read legal disclaimers and site policies?

Accepted Answer

Visit ichirentals.com/legal for copyright, website disclaimers, equal housing information, and trademark notices.

Question 47

What is equal housing opportunity?

Accepted Answer

Ichiban Management, LLC complies with fair housing laws and does not discriminate based on protected classes. See ichirentals.com/legal for our equal housing statement.

Frequently asked questions