Step By Step Prospective Resident Guide
PRE-QUALIFY
Please visit, CaseNet MO to access the Missouri State Courts case management system prior to scheduling a viewing or applying to confirm you do not have any records that may prohibit you from qualifying for one of our properties. Please note, CaseNet MO is to only be used as a free tool to help prescreen and does not guarantee approval or disqualification.
Multiple factors will be considered when making a final decision on whether you qualify for a Deca home or apartment.
It is a combination of the following:
Income
Applicants must have monthly NET income of at least 3 times the monthly rent and/or liquid assets to cover the rental payments.
Rental History
- Applicants must have positive rental references from ALL current and previous landlords within the past 3 years.
- No negative rental or mortgage history within the past 3 years.
- No unsatisfied landlord actions.
Credit Score
Applicants must have a credit score of 600 or higher. There are opportunities to qualify for a property if your credit score falls under a credit score of 600 by paying an additional up-front fee or obtaining a qualified co-signer.
Criminal Background
Applicant must have no felony convictions within the past 7 years and no misdemeanors within the past 3 years.
Will I Qualify for a Deca Home or Apartment?
The guide below will help you determine if you pre-qualify for a Deca rental home or an apartment. An application must be submitted in order for Deca to determine whether you qualify. We encourage each prospective resident to fully read the following rental criteria and contact our office for questions.

Employment and Income
Your NET monthly income must be at least three (3) times the monthly rent to qualify for a Deca home or apartment rental. If you have liquid assets that prove your ability to cover the rent payments you may be exempt from the income to rent ratio (proof of assets is required) If you have a current mortgage, you must make three (3) time the rent plus enough to cover the mortgage.
Assistance from agencies and housing subsidies are considered a source of income and will be valued at one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent. If you can provide documentation of the exact amount of your portion (portion for property you are applying for, not current portion) of rent from the assistance agency or housing subsidy, then you will be required to provide proof of income three (3) times your portion of the monthly rent. If this documentation indicates your portion of the monthly rent is zero, you must provide proof of utility coverage.
Proof of income is required. The following are acceptable (in some cases multiple documents will be required):
Copies of the last three (3) pay stubs
Bank statements for the past three (3) months (if self-employed)
Tax returns for the past two (2) years (if self-employed)
Letter verifying employment
Proof of student loans
Award letter for disability, social security and/or rental assistance
Other information that may be required:
Signed, dated and notarized contract
Profit and loss statements
Bank statements
Rental History
A solid rental history (or mortgage) is of utmost importance to qualify for a Deca home or apartment. You will need to provide a rental reference within the last three (3) years which confirms a minimum of one (1) year or more of a valid, verifiable rental history from a third-party landlord. If you do not have a rental history or if your rental history is shorter than 12 months and, assuming you meet all other requirements set forth herein, a nonrefundable rental history fee of $250 or a *qualified co-signer will be required. Deca will contact your current landlord and previous landlord to determine if you paid your rent on time, honored your lease terms and took proper care of the applicable rental property.
If your rental history includes any of the following within three (3) years prior to the submission of your application, you will NOT be eligible to rent from Deca Property Management. Landlord/Resident actions, including but not limited to:
Noise or nuisance violations
Multiple late or non-sufficient fund (NSF) charges or notices to pay or vacate
Pest infestations due to resident negligence
Material and verifiable adverse reference from prior landlord
Collection fillings caused by breach of lease agreement or utilities
Violation of rules relating to unauthorized residents and/or pets
Excessive property damage
Improper notice to vacate
Failure to cooperate with housing assistance program requirements while receiving benefits
Foreclosure
Negative rental or mortgage history 3+ years ago will be taken into consideration and may result in you not being eligible. If your history includes any unsatisfied landlord actions you are NOT eligible to rent from Deca.
Credit Score
Credit scores are an important decision-making tool that helps Deca Property Management anticipate how likely you are to pay your rent on time. There are opportunities to qualify for a unit if your credit score falls under 600 by paying an additional upfront fee or obtaining a *qualified co-signer.
* A qualified co-signer must have a minimum credit score of 640 (if the credit score is 740 or above, the credit fee will be waived) and must show they have the capacity to pay rent if needed, on top of their own debts and financial obligations. Qualified co-signer requirements will be waived for Section 8 and other housing assistance agencies if they do not allow a co-signer (further documentation may be requested).
Co-Signers are fully liable for the lease and assume the financial responsibility of the lease.
Sole Applicant Only

Applicant and Co-Applicant

*Co-Signer Requirement

Criminal Background
Deca seeks residents that will adhere to the rules and who will have respect for their neighbors and property. Under no circumstance will Deca rent to someone who is a potential danger to life, property or the safety of others.
Deca will conduct a public record search through the Missouri CaseNet website, utilizing your name and date of birth, to assist us in seeking information relating to any criminal convictions.
If your history includes felony convictions within seven (7) years or any misdemeanor convictions within three (3) years prior to the submission of your application, you will NOT be eligible to rent from Deca.
If your history includes any of the following criminal convictions, regardless of when they occurred, you will NOT be eligible to rent from Deca:
Terrorist threats
Sexual assault or sexual misconduct
Rental Application Process
Many of our rental properties are in high demand. In some cases, there may already be multiple resident applications submitted at the time you submit your application. We cannot guarantee any unit, although it may be available at the time your application is submitted. Units are rented to the best qualified applicant (not based on order received) with the deposit requirement fulfilled. A deposit cannot be fulfilled until the rental application is approved and you have viewed the property.
Renter Application Rules:
- Each person 18 years of age and over (or an emancipated minor) who intends to reside in the subject dwelling unit must submit a rental application.
- Each applicant must qualify, at Deca Property Management’s sole discretion, either: (a) individually, or (b) jointly with other applicants.
- Applications must be filled out and signed or electronically submitted.
- Application fees must be paid prior to processing the rental application.
- Applicants must acknowledge and accept that Deca represents the owner of the property for which applicant is applying.
- Applicants must complete the application in detail and provide current picture identification and proof of legal income.(See list of acceptable documents below.)
- If applying with a section 8 voucher, you can only apply for the number of bedrooms that is stated on your voucher.
Required Documents
Acceptable identification (Deca reserves the right to refuse any form of identification that does not fall within the following four types):
Current state driver's license
Current state identification
Current military identification
Current passport
Unacceptable identification includes, without limitation:
Work identification
Identification that is not current
Identification that is not in a condition to be read
Other forms of identification that, in Deca's sole discretion, are unsatisfactory
Any falsification of information on the rental application, including non-disclosure of criminal records is grounds for not qualifying.
Rental Application Cost:
$60 per adult (anyone 18 years of age and over or emancipated minor)
Application fee(s) is/are NON-REFUNDABLE
The application fee covers the cost of processing your application and obtaining your credit report
Methods of Payment:
Credit card
Ways to Apply for a Rental Property
Online
Apply online at Findigs.com and pay with credit card.
In-Person
Apply in person at our office (9630 Gravois Rd St. Louis, MO 63123). We are open Mon-Fri 9:00-4:00. We accept money orders, personal checks, cashier’s checks or exact cash. We also have a drop box to the right of our front door if you want to drop it off after hours.
What People Are Saying About Us
Want to Learn More?
If you are an owner and you are interested in learning more about how Deca Property Management can help you, contact us today! The team is happy to talk to you about what it is like to partner with us.
If you are a future resident looking for a rental property, send us a message and we will help you find your dream home!
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Deca Property Management was established in 1990 with the goal of providing high quality property management services in and around the St. Louis area. The family owned company saw a niche in the market and set out to be a different kind of company, one that put the needs of its owners and residents first.
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9630 Gravois Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63123
Hours of Operations:
9:00 - 4:00 M-F
(Holiday hours vary)
Serving All of St. Louis, St. Louis County and surrounding areas.
Maintenance Emergency:
(314)-631-3306
Schedule a showing 24/7:
(314)-310-0323