Rental Criteria

Thank you for your interest in renting a home that is professionally managed by Earth Property Managment. Below, you'll find important instructions and criteria for submitting your rental application. Please review this information carefully before proceeding with your application to ensure you meet all requirements for renting the property.

Should you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of our leasing agents at (650) 867-9293.

• General Application Information

  • All individuals aged 18 and above must complete a rental application. If you're submitting an online application, utilize the "Other Applicants and Adult Household Members" section to include multiple applications together.
  • Earth Real Estate can only approve fully completed Rental Applications, which entail filling out the online form for all adult household members, providing proof of income documents, and paying the application fee. Additionally, if you have a pet, you must submit a Pet Application through our third-party screening service.
  • If your application is deemed approvable but not selected for the property you're applying for, you have the option to apply for our other available properties for 45 days without an additional application fee. After this period, a new Rental Application will be required.
  • It's mandatory for all applicants to view the property's interior before processing an application. The property must be accepted in "AS-IS" condition unless there's a written agreement for modifications or repairs. Any such requests must be documented under "Other Information – Any other information we should know?" If your maintenance or repair request is approved by Earth Real Estate, it will be confirmed in writing. Verbal agreements are not binding.
  • In cases where the manager receives multiple unrelated applications for the same property, the Landlord may prioritize the Applicant who accepts the property in "AS IS" condition over another Applicant requesting maintenance or repairs (excluding accessibility accommodations).

• Application Processing and Time Frame

  • Typically, applications are processed within 2-3 business days, though occasionally it may take longer. To expedite the process, kindly inform your current employer and both current and past landlords that we will be reaching out to them.
  • Please note that no vacant rental property will be reserved for more than 14 days without approval from the property owner.
  • Negative findings during the screening process may result in the denial of an application. Providing false documentation or failing to disclose relevant information will also lead to application denial.
  • Once your application is submitted, we'll provide you with a link to monitor its progress.

• Application Fee

  Each applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of $45.00, without exception. This fee covers the expenses associated with processing the application. Similarly, guarantors are required to pay a $45.00 non-refundable application fee. Additionally, if you have a pet, a separate pet application fee will be payable to the third-party pet screening service.

• Basic Criteria

  • Preference will be given to applicants who satisfy all of the following basic criteria, are willing to commit to a long-term lease, have no pets, and are available to take possession on the property's move-in date. To be eligible for the advertised security deposit, an application must meet ALL of the following requirements:
  • Income: Gross household income must be at least 3.5 times the asking rent.
  • Credit: A credit score of 700 or higher.
  • Rental History: No record of evictions, outstanding balances owed to previous landlords, two or more instances of late rental payments, foreclosures, bankruptcies, or non-medical collections.
  • Criminal History: No felonies within the past 7 years related to illegal manufacture or distribution of controlled substances, or felonies involving bodily harm or intentional property damage (such as arson). Additionally, no sexual offenses at any time.
  • Applicants who do not meet all of the basic criteria but exceed the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply and may be considered for acceptance with a higher security deposit.

• Income Requirements

  • Basic Criteria: The gross household income should be 3.5 times or more than the asking rent.
  • Minimum Criteria: Gross household income falling between 2.5 to 3.49 times the asking rent will be considered, provided applicants are willing to furnish an increased security deposit. Applications with gross household income below 2.5 times the monthly rent will not be considered and should refrain from applying.
  • Income verification is essential and may include, but is not limited to, pay stubs, employee records, income tax returns, social security documentation, and bank statements.
  • In accordance with CA Gov. Code 12955(o), the income multiple is calculated based on the portion of rent paid by the Applicant (not the total rent amount) if the Applicant receives a rental voucher or other housing subsidy.

• Credit Requirements

  • Basic Criteria: Each applicant must have a credit score of 700 or higher.
  • Minimum Criteria: Applicants with credit scores ranging from 630 to 699 will be considered, provided they are willing to provide an increased security deposit. Applicants with credit scores below 630 will not be considered and are advised against applying. Earth Real Estate obtains credit reports for all applicants and does not accept copies of credit reports from applicants.
  • Earth Real Estate accepts discharged bankruptcies if the prospective tenant has successfully re-established good credit. Negative credit reports may result in the denial of an application.
  • Due to credit reporting regulations, we are unable to provide applicants with a copy of their credit report or discuss its contents. However, we can provide the name of the credit-reporting agency so applicants may request a copy from them. All information collected for the approval or denial of this application is considered confidential and for company use only.

• Security Deposits & Risk Mitigation

  • The advertised security deposit is applicable to applicants who fulfill all the Basic Criteria and do not have pets.
  • Applications falling short of the Basic Criteria are considered higher risk. To mitigate this risk, Earth Real Estate increases the security deposit.
  • Applications that do not meet the Basic Criteria but surpass the Minimum Criteria may be approved with an escalated security deposit.
  • For approved pet owners, the security deposit will be raised by $500 per pet.
  • If an applicant is approved with a guarantor, the security deposit will be doubled to match the monthly rent.
  • In cases where the property is furnished or partially furnished, the security deposit will be elevated by an amount equal to one month's rent.

• Rental History or Property Ownership

  • Basic Criteria: APMS mandates a minimum of two (2) years of verifiable rental history and/or homeownership.
  • Minimum Criteria: Applications lacking verifiable rental history or homeownership will be considered with an augmented security deposit.
  • An eviction within the last 10 years will result in application denial.
  • References must be verifiable, and family references will not be accepted. Negative references may lead to the denial of an application.

• Criminal Background

  • Applicants who have faced criminal charges are required to disclose all relevant information. Such disclosures do not inherently disqualify applicants from consideration.
  • However, applicants should refrain from applying if, within the last 7 years, they have been convicted of felonies related to the illegal manufacture or distribution of controlled substances, or felonies involving bodily harm or intentional property damage (such as "arson").
  • Similarly, applicants with convictions related to sexual offenses should not apply.

• Acceptance/Denial of an Application

  • All applicants applying jointly must meet the qualifying criteria; denial of one applicant may result in the denial of all applicants.
  • Earth Real Estate typically notifies applicants of acceptance or denial within 3-5 business days of the application, unless verifications cannot be completed. If additional documentation is needed, Earth Real Estate will inform the applicant accordingly.
  • Submitting a rental application does not imply an offer to rent or any commitment. Upon acceptance, Earth Real Estate will send the applicant an "Offer to Rent" email outlining timelines that must be adhered to.
  • Applicants will be required to provide the security deposit and first month's rent within 24 hours. Ensure your funds are readily available in advance. Payments must be made via cashier's check or money order payable to "Advantage Property Management Services.

• Multiple Applications

  • If multiple applications are received, all applications will be processed and considered. The decision on the best applicant, at our sole discretion, will be made based on what we deem most suitable for the property, which may not necessarily be the first application received. In such cases, more than one applicant may be deemed approvable. Our priority is to act in the best interest of the property owner, and therefore, we will accept the best application, regardless of its submission order. Applications remain active for 45 days and may be considered for other available properties we have for rent.
  • Earth Real Estate invests time and resources in processing applications, and therefore, our policy dictates that the application fee is non-refundable. If your application is deemed approvable but not selected for the property you applied for, you are welcome to apply for other available properties within our inventory for 45 days without having to pay an additional application fee.

• Ideal Applicants & How To Make Your Application More Attractive

  • Preferred applicants will possess qualifications surpassing the basic criteria, commit to a longer-term lease, be prepared to move in on the advertised availability date, and have a clean rental history without any bankruptcies, evictions, or collections.
  • Applicants can enhance their applications by promptly providing required documents, agreeing to a lease term exceeding 12 months, and/or being willing to move in on the advertised availability date.

We are dedicated to upholding both the letter and the spirit of the U.S. policy for ensuring equal housing opportunity nationwide. We actively endorse and advocate for programs that eliminate barriers to accessing housing based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.