To qualify for a CopperBay home, applicants must meet the following:

Income. Combined gross household income of at least three times the monthly rent.

Credit. Applications are evaluated using a Qualification Score that considers your full credit history, income-to-rent ratio, rental history, debt levels, and other credit factors. There's no single minimum credit score — we look at the full picture. Open bankruptcies result in an automatic denial.

Background. All applicants pass a standard criminal background check. The following will result in denial:

• Registered sex offender status
• Felony conviction within the past seven years for offenses involving theft or dishonesty, violence, weapons, or sex offenses
• Eviction within the past three years
• Open landlord/tenant collections
• Open bankruptcy filing
• Foreclosure or bankruptcy within the past two years

Identification. Valid U.S. government-issued photo ID (clear color copy, no photocopies) and a Social Security number for each applicant.

Every adult age 18 or older who will live in the home must apply.

Heads up: If you have a credit freeze or credit block on your file, you'll need to remove it before applying. Credit blocks prevent us from completing your screening and may delay your application or result in additional fees.

All income documentation must be submitted as a PDF. Acceptable proof depends on your income type:

Hourly or Commission-Based. One recent paystub OR one month of complete bank statements (all pages).

Salaried. One recent paystub OR one month of complete bank statements (all pages).

Self-Employed. One month of complete bank statements.

Social Security. Social Security statement or benefits letter.

Savings-Based. One month of complete statements showing an average ending balance of at least three times the entire lease term's rent. (Example: $1,000/month rent on a 12-month lease = $36,000 minimum average balance.)

The following cannot be used as proof of income: prepaid cards, PayPal, or tax refunds. Joint bank accounts may only be used if all account holders apply as leaseholders. Additional documentation may be requested to verify your income.

Here's what to expect, in order:

Application Fee. $50 per applicant, non-refundable. (One of the lowest application fees in the area.)

Security Deposit. Equal to one month's rent for most approved applicants. May be up to 1.5x monthly rent depending on application strength. Due within 72 hours of lease signing to secure the home.

First Month's Rent. Due within 72 hours of lease signing to secure the home.

Move-In Processing Fee. $250, non-refundable, due before move-in.

Standard lease terms: 12-24 months

After your initial term, the lease automatically renews month-to-month unless you give 30 days' written notice through the resident portal. (Workforce housing leases excluded from automatic renewal). 

• Pet deposit: $100 per pet, non-refundable 
• Monthly pet rent: $25 per pet
• Maximum pets: 3 per home
• Pet rules: Pets must be housebroken, leashed when outside (dogs), and not cause damage or nuisance. Owners are liable for all pet damage.

All CopperBay residents are required to carry renter's insurance with at least:

$100,000 in Property Loss coverage

$100,000 in Personal Liability coverage

CopperBay must be listed as an "Interested Party" (or similar term, depending on your insurer). Proof of insurance is required before move-in and at every lease renewal.

Every CopperBay home comes with:

A full appliance package: refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher, washer, and dryer

High-efficiency furnace, central air, and humidifier

Window blinds throughout

A garage of your own

Your own backyard

Once you move in:

Utilities. Transfer all utilities into your name within five business days of move-in.

Renter's Insurance. Required, with CopperBay listed as an Interested Party. Proof of coverage must be provided before move-in.

Lawn and Snow. Routine lawn care (including watering) and snow removal from driveways and walkways.

Smoke-Free Home. All CopperBay homes are smoke and vape free, including in garages.

1. Find a home. Browse our available homes across Michigan and Indiana.
2. Apply online. Submit your application and pay the $50 application fee. Have your ID, proof of income, and Social Security number ready.
3. Get a decision. Most applications are reviewed within 1–2 business days.
4. Sign and secure. Sign your lease and pay your security deposit within 72 hours to lock in your home.
5. Move in. Provide proof of renter's insurance, transfer utilities, and pay your first month's rent and processing fee one week before move-in.

Yes. If your application doesn't meet our standard criteria on its own, a qualified guarantor with strong credit and income may be considered.

Most applications are reviewed within 1–2 business days of receiving complete documentation.

A valid U.S. government-issued photo ID (clear color copy), Social Security number, and proof of income in PDF format.

Yes. Every adult age 18 or older who will live in the home must complete an application.

Yes. International applicants are welcome to apply. You'll need a passport (or other acceptable ID) and proof of eligibility to live and work in the U.S. Additional requirements such as a larger security deposit or prepaid rent may apply. Contact our leasing team to walk through the process.

Some homes are available for showings. These homes will be listed with a "Schedule Showing" button when searching for homes. Floor plans and virtual tours of all floor plans are also available.  

Workforce housing follows a different application process based on income eligibility under each specific Michigan program. Visit our Workforce Housing page to learn more.

Our leasing team is happy to walk you through anything that's not covered here. Reach out and we'll help you figure out your next step.