- As a prospective tenant, what do I need to do to rent property?
- What about application fees and deposits?
- How does the screening process work?
- What is involved in a residential screening?
- What is involved in employment screening?
- What is involved in credit screening?
As a prospective tenant, what do I need to do to rent property?
First thing to do is to identify a property that will meet your needs. The next step is to contact our office (888-582-9555) to arrange a viewing; all principals should be available at the viewing.
Once you have determined that you like the property, we will ask you to complete a rental application. You can complete this application here. This application must be completed in full and then faxed (951) 894-6266 or brought to our office so that we may process it. Make sure to have one filled out by each individual over the age of eighteen (18) who will be residing on the property.
To process your application we will run a credit check through a major credit company. There is an application fee of $45 per person that will be the principals residing in the home, or co-signer(s). Applicant should/must provide proof of income at time application is submitted. Please submit to us copies of your pay stubs when submitting an application. Rental history and/or mortgage payment history will also be verified as part of the application approval process. If all information is verified satisfactorily, then we will place you in the home you have selected.
What about application fees and deposits?
There is a non-refundable application fee of $45.00 per person. This fee is to cover our credit screening processing cost and is non refundable.
Once the application is complete, the screening process is completed, the property will be offered to you, if you want this home you must put a “Holding Deposit” down on this home to reserve it. Without a “Holding Deposit” we will continue to show the property to prospective tenants.
This “Holding Deposit” is generally $500-$1000.00 and becomes part of your security deposit. The security deposit is equal to one or two months rent depending on your credit worthiness. The balance of the security deposit is due upon move in. Most applications can be processed in two or three days.
How does the screening process work?
The screening process involves VanEstates Property Management conducting a credit, residential, employment, and criminal background check.
What is involved in a residential screening?
VanEstates Property Management will contact the applicant’s previous landlords and obtain oral or written references as to the applicant’s payment history, late payment, damages, pet history and other related factors that pertain to tenancy. Applicants with a pet must have an appropriate pet reference as to the condition of the property where the pet has previously resided. You must place contact name and contact numbers for your previous landlords on the rental application or we will be unable to process your application.
If the applicant was a previous homeowner and does not have a prior landlord, we will review the mortgage payment history to confirm payment history. Please provide mortgage company name and contact information when you complete the application.
What is involved in employment screening?
VanEstates Property Management will contact your present and previous employers to obtain oral or written references for employment dates and salary. You must place the contact names and numbers of your previous employers on your rental application or we will not be able to process it. If you are a new hire and relocating to Southern California, bring your “Offer of Employment Letter” with you when you complete the application. Applicant’s current income should be at least three times the rental amount. The income of all principals is used to obtain the total household income.
For self-employed and non-employment income we verify sources and amounts: tax returns, bank and business references, government documents, etc.
What is involved in credit screening?
The screening process includes running a credit report on individuals and a joint credit report on married couples. VanEstates Property Management uses one of the three major credit-reporting agencies to conduct this process.
If VanEstates Property Management approves an applicant who has had a bankruptcy and/ or credit problems they will be required to make advance rent payments, or double the deposit or have a cosigner.