Right now the fastest path to residency is ENROLLING IN THE HOLISTIC SUSTAINABILITY SEMESTER or applying for an internship.  

Rental Criteria

Section I

Register for a Visit

  • Any one interested in Living at Lost Valley must first schedule a tour/ virtual interview with our Visitor Coordinator.

  • There is a $25 fee that can go towards the residency application fee later.

  • If you are friends or family of a current Lost Valley resident, or you have already visited Lost Valley in the last 3 years, please email our Visitor Coordinator.

Apply for an Extended Trial Stay

  • If all goes well on your initial visit, and you're interested in continuing your inquiry, you'll be invited back for an extended trial stay for a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 3.

    • You'll be given a code and asked to come back to the visitor portal to book your extended trial visit! Enter that code prior to payment to book.

    • Tent and RV / Tiny Home / Van sites may be booked by any party.  Indoor dorm accommodations are booked as Single, Couples or Family to account for the necessary room size.

    • We will charge you for a 30 - day period. A portion of the payment will be returned to you depending on the number of days you stayed.

    Special Accommodation Requests

    • If none of our standard options will work for you for any reason, you may inquire about other accommodations available on campus.

      • From time to time we may have a cabin, meadow cobb house, or solplex apartment vacant and available for visitors.

      • Please ask the visitor coordinator - visit@lostvalley - for more info.

      • Note: Please keep in mind that our housing matrix gives existing residents priority for our more developed accomodation options. 

      • Many residents start thier time at Lost Valley in the dorms and wait until their preferred option is vacant, and they are able to move in.

  • In preparation for your stay you will need to sign some required documents: LVEC Waiver of Liability, Site Rules and Guidelines For Visiting Lost Valley Education Center, LVEC Pet Policy

  • During your visit to Lost Valley, your demeanor will be taken into consideration.

  • We look for the capacity for honest self reflection and maturity, the ability to see complexity in their own and other people’s experiences.

Complete Application

  • Each applicant (18 years or over) must read and agree to the Community Living Agreements then submit an individual Rental Application and Core Questions.

  • All requested phone numbers, present and prior landlord information etc. must be supplied.

  • A non-refundable fee of $50 will be charged to defray the cost of checking civil records, data entry, mailings, accounting/clerical costs, tenancy inspections, etc. Your $25 tour will be subtracted from this fee.

  • You will be required to provide proof of income/funds in the application.

  • Applicants must provide a valid government issued ID card.

  • A $35 credit/criminal/background check is performed.

Prior Rental History

  • Rental history of at least 2 years: verifiable from unbiased/unrelated sources

  • Applicants must provide LV with the information necessary to contact past landlords. We reserve the right to deny an application if, after making a good faith effort, we are unable to verify prior rental history.

  • Exceptions may be made for applicants with qualified co-signers or increased deposit.

Sufficient Income/Resources

  • Net household income shall be, at minimum two and a half times the rent (utilities are included in most rent amounts with the exception of Solplex dwellings).

  • Income/resources must be verifiable through pay stubs, employer contact, current tax records and/or bank statements.

Credit/Criminal/Public Records Check

  • Negative reports may result in denial of application.

  • Any individual who is a user of an illegal substance, or has been convicted of the illegal manufacture/distribution of a controlled substance or convicted of a felony may be denied tenancy.

Applicants that have not lived and/or worked within 100 miles for at least 6 months:

  • May be required to pay an increased security deposit.

Special notes

  • Smoking is not permitted in any unit.

  • The property will only accept pets on a case by case basis, upon approval by the community.

 

Section II

Screening Process

  • The Site Management Team will determine, based on the application, whether the applicant meets the Rental Criteria.

  • They will verify income/resources, check with current and previous landlords.

  • Verify you’ve seen the Community Living Agreements and agree to them.

  • Once the Site Management Team has approved income/resources and checked with references the “Core Questions” of the application are sent to the community to process the core questions.

  • If the community determines that the applicant is a good fit, the applicant will be invited to schedule an applicant interview either at the end of their trial stay or after.

  • Upon acceptance at the applicant-interview the Site Management Team will sign a month-to-month lease allowing the applicant to reside in an available space as a provisional resident.

  • The provisional resident will have a resident interview after 3 months of living in community. If accepted, they will become a resident.

  • A third interview will be held around the one-year mark. Accepted residents will become a member of the community.