Rental Qualifications & Applicant Information

1. Application Process & Communication

• Order of Review: Completed applications are reviewed in the order received. An application is considered complete only after all adult occupants (18+) have submitted the required forms, paid applicable fees, completed any required authorization steps, and provided all supporting documentation, including proof of income and identification. Incomplete applications will not be placed in line for processing or considered for approval.
• Communication Portal: All application tracking, document uploads, set timeframes, and communications are processed exclusively through our client portal: Applicant Launchbay Portal. To ensure accurate record-keeping and avoid any misunderstandings, all correspondence must take place in writing through the Launchbay portal.
• Processing Timelines & Service: Completed applications are processed directly with our application processing service, Desert Roots Application Services, and typically take 3 to 5 business days from the date all applicants submit the requested documents/information. Applicants must respond to processor inquiries within 48 business hours. Non-responsive applications may be closed, allowing processing to move to the next complete application in line.
• Application Fees: We do not charge an application fee until we reach the point of ordering a screening report. Fees are non-refundable once screening reports are initiated. Applicants who pay a screening fee will receive a copy of their consumer credit report within 7 days, in compliance with California Civil Code § 1950.6(f).

2. Income & Employment Requirements

• Income Ratio: Applicants must demonstrate verifiable gross monthly income equal to at least three (3) times the monthly rent amount.
• Housing Choice Vouchers / Subsidies: For applicants receiving Section 8 or other housing assistance, the 3x income multiplier applies only to the applicant’s individual out-of-pocket portion of the rent, not the total contract rent.
• W-2 Employees & Non-Taxable Income: Must demonstrate required income levels for at least the three (3) consecutive months immediately preceding the application date.
• Self-Employed & 1099 Applicants: Must demonstrate continuous business or contract income for at least twelve (12) consecutive months. Requirements include:
  • Two (2) most recent federal tax returns (including Schedule C) reflecting a full 12 months of income on the most recent tax year.
  • Six (6) most recent months of personal bank statements showing deposits that support reported personal income.
  • Personal income must be documented separately from business income (or evaluated using applicable standard net profit margins if personal and business income are not separate).
• Income Continuity: Income sources must be current and reasonably expected to continue for at least six (6) months after taking possession of the property.

3. Credit & Background History

• Preferred Score: A credit score of 625 or higher (obtained using the VantageScore® 3.0 model via Experian).
• Conditional Range (550–624): May be considered subject to property owner approval and statutory security deposit limits where permitted by law.
• Unqualified Score: Credit scores below 550 result in application denial.
• Credit & Background Evaluation: Reviews include overall credit profiles, rental-related collections, landlord-tenant judgments, eviction history, Multi-State (Nationwide) Criminal search, and utility balances.

4. Rental & Residence History

• Verification Standard: Verifiable rental, residence, or mortgage history for the most recent three (3) years is required. Rental and Residence history needs to be confirmed by a property owner or verifiable property manager.
• Disqualifying Rental Conditions:
  • Inability to verify landlord references, contact information, or the reference’s affiliation with the property.
  • More than three (3) late rent payments within any 12-month period, or more than nine (9) late payments within a 36-month period.
  • Outstanding unpaid balances owed to a current or former landlord.
  • Outstanding unpaid utility balances exceeding $500.00.
  • Negative housekeeping reports from a current or former landlord.
  • Any rental-related judgment, default under a lease agreement, or eviction within the past five (5) years. (Applicants with prior defaults or evictions older than 5 years may still be considered if they demonstrate at least 5 years of subsequent, positive, verifiable rental history with a non-family landlord or licensed property management company).

5. Security Deposits

• Baseline Deposit: Minimum security deposit is equal to one (1) month’s rent.
• Small-Landlord Exceptions: Under California law (Civil Code § 1950.5), security deposits are capped at 1 month’s rent. However, for properties owned by a qualifying small landlord (natural persons or family trusts owning no more than 2 residential rental properties containing no more than 4 total units), an increased deposit of up to 2 months’ rent may be requested due to credit history, rental risk factors, or approved pets.

6. Pet & Animal Screening Policy

• Universal Pet Screening: PETSCREENING IS A PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ALL APPLICANTS. To help ensure ALL of our residents understand our pet and animal-related policies, we use a third-party screening service and require everyone to complete a pet profile, a “no pet” profile, or request accommodation for an assistance animal. This process ensures we have formalized pet and animal-related policy acknowledgments.
• Listing Verification: Please check each listing individually on our website to see if it allows pets.
• Profile Fees:
  • Household Pet Profile: $30 (credit/debit) or $25 (ACH) per profile.
  • Assistance Animal Profile (Service and Support Animal): $0.
  • No Pet / Animal Profile: $0.
• Accessibility Support: If you are unable to complete a profile online and need help, please contact us. Visit provest.petscreening.com for more details.

7. Criminal History Screening Policy

• 7-Year Review Window: Criminal conviction history will be considered unless otherwise specified based on regulatory limitations. In accordance with state and federal fair housing guidelines, criminal background checks review conviction history within the last seven (7) years.
• Types of Convictions Reviewed: Felony convictions involving a sex offense, violent offense, weapons offense, arson, manufacturing or distribution of a controlled substance, or an unclassified offense within the last 7 years.
• Records Not Considered:
  • Infractions or violations (like speeding tickets).
  • Criminal convictions from more than 7 years ago.
  • Arrests without conviction, or sealed, expunged, or juvenile records.
• Individualized Assessment & Mitigating Evidence: Before taking any adverse action based on criminal history, we perform an individualized assessment considering the nature, severity, and time elapsed since the conviction. Please notify us of any extenuating or mitigating circumstances or evidence of rehabilitation we should be aware of regarding criminal history during your application process.

Applicant Code of Conduct

Provest Realty Inc. is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and efficient environment for both our staff and future residents. To maintain this standard, all applicants are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner throughout the application and screening process.

We reserve the right to immediately decline or cease processing any application if an applicant engages in any of the following behavior toward our property management staff or representatives:

• Harassment & Abuse: Engaging in verbal abuse, shouting, profanity, insults, or any form of threatening, intimidating, or hostile behavior, whether in person, over the phone, or via written communication.
• Operational Disruption (Excessive Contact): Excessively calling, emailing, or visiting the office for updates after a clear processing timeline has already been communicated and has not yet passed. This disrupts daily business operations and delays the processing of all applications.

Any application flagged for violating this conduct policy will be immediately closed and denied. Provest Realty Inc. enforces a zero-tolerance policy for staff abuse and operational harassment.

Fraud Prevention Notice

Providing false, altered, misleading, or stolen documents or information is grounds for immediate denial. This includes identity information, income documentation, employment records, rental history, and references. Suspected fraud and identity theft may be reported to law enforcement and may result in criminal prosecution.