Application Instructions & Policies

Thank you for your interest in renting a home that is professionally managed by Advantage Property Management Services. Below you will find the instructions and criteria required when submitting a rental application. It is important that you read the information below prior to submitting an application to understand what is required for renting the property. If you have further questions, please contact one of our leasing agents at (925) 273-9865 x2.

 

 

Application Processing and Time Frame

• Most applications are processed in 2-3 business days.  However, it can take longer. You can help speed up the process by putting your currently employer and current and past Landlords on notice that we will be contacting them.
• No rental property will be held vacant for more than two (2) weeks, unless approved by APMS.  Applications submitted more than 2 weeks before the advertised available date may be held. Contact APMS for more information.
• We will send you a link so that you may monitor the status of your application.

Application

• Anyone 18 years of age or older must submit a rental application.  When submitting an online application, you may complete the “Other Applicants and Adult Household Members” section, which allows separate applications to be submitted together.
• APMS only processes applications after receipt of a completed application. A completed application includes submitting the online Tenant Application form for all household members, submitting proof of income documents, and paying the application fee. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to provide supporting documents and fee.
• All Applicants must see the interior of the property before an application will be processed. The property must be accepted in “AS-IS” condition before an application can be accepted, except where there is written agreement for maintenance or repair items. Any such maintenance or repair request must be in writing and included with your application under “Other Information – Any other information we should know?” If your maintenance and repair request is acceptable to APMS, then it will be acknowledged in writing. Verbal representations are non-binding. In the event that the manager receives two or more unrelated applications for the same property, the Applicant understands the Landlord may select the Applicant desiring the property in “AS IS” condition over another Applicant requesting maintenance or repairs (this does not apply if the request is related to accessibility accommodations).

Application Fee

• A $40.00 application fee is required per Applicant, without exception, and is non-refundable. This fee offsets the costs incurred while processing an application.
• A $40.00 application fee for guarantors is required as well, and is non-refundable.

Risk Mitigation

• APMS will consider applications that do not meet our basic criteria using a risk-based model.  The higher the risk, the higher the security deposit.  Applicants that do not meet our basic criteria, but do meet our minimum criteria, are encouraged to apply.

Ideal Applicants & How to Make Your Application More Attractive

• Ideal Applicants will have qualifications that exceed the basic criteria, want a long-term lease, want to move in on the advertised available date, and will not have any bankruptcies, evictions, or collections.
• Applicants can make their applications more attractive by providing required documents quickly, agreeing to leases longer than 12 months, and/or agreeing to move in on the advertised available date.

Basic Criteria

• Priority will be given to an Applicant willing to sign a long-term lease that has no pets and is willing to take possession as soon as the property is available for move-in.
• Gross household income must be at least 3.5 times the asking rent
• Credit score of 700 or higher.
• 2 years of positive Tenant history or home ownership.  No evictions, unpaid balances to past Landlords, foreclosures, bankruptcies, or non-medical collections.
• No recent drug/violence related felonies.
• Negative findings may cause denial of an application; false documentation or failure to disclose information is immediate grounds for denial of an application.

Income Requirements

• Gross household income must be at least 3.5 times the asking rent.  Gross household income at least 2.5 times the asking rent will be considered with an increased security deposit.
• Income must be verifiable. Examples of income verification include, but are not limited to, pay stubs, employee records, income tax returns, social security documentation, and bank statements.

Credit Requirements

• Credit score of 700 or higher for each Applicant.
• Credit score of 600 or higher will be considered with an increased security deposit.
• APMS obtains a credit report for all Applicants and does not accept copies of credit reports from Applicants.
• APMS accepts discharged bankruptcies if the prospective Tenant has re-established good credit.
• Negative credit reports may be grounds for denial of an application.
• We will not provide you with the credit report or tell you of its contents; however, we will provide you with the name of the credit-reporting agency so you may receive a copy from the credit bureau. All information collected for the approval or denial of this application is considered confidential in nature and for company use only.

Rental History or Property Ownership

• APMS requires a minimum of two (2) years of verifiable rental history, and/or homeownership.
• References must be verifiable and family references are unacceptable.
• Negative references can be grounds for denial of an application.

Possibility of Conditional Approval

• Applicants who do not meet the basic criteria are encouraged to apply and can be accepted on the condition that the security deposit be increased.
• Applicants with a credit score between 600 and 699 will be considered.  Those with credit scores below 600 will not be considered and should not apply.
• Applicants whose gross income is between 2.5 times to 2.99 time the asking rent will be considered.  Those below 2.5 times will not be considered and should not apply.
• Applicants who have been charged with crimes should disclose all information.  This information does not automatically disqualify Applicants.

Pets

• Pets may or may not be accepted as per the property owner’s criteria.  If allowed, the security deposit amount will increase by $500 per pet.
• Unacceptable dog breeds include, but are not limited to: American Pit Bull, Bull Mastif, Rottweiler, Husky, Chow Chow, Doberman, Pincher, Akita, and Wolf Hybrid. Applicants with these dog breeds should not apply.

Acceptance/Denial of an Application

• All Applicants applying together must qualify; denial of one Applicant may result in the denial of all Applicants.
• APMS typically notifies Applicants of acceptance or denial within 3-5 business days of application, unless APMS cannot complete verifications. If more documentation is required, APMS will notify the Applicant.
• Submitting an application does not constitute an offer to rent or commitment of any kind. If an application is accepted, APMS will send the Applicant an “Offer to Rent” email. Applicants are required to adhere to the timelines outlined in the “Offer to Rent” email.
• You will be asked to provide the security deposit and the first months rent within 48 hours.  Make sure your funds are available in advance. The security deposit and first months rent must be paid by cashier’s check or money order payable to “Advantage Property Management Services”.

Multiple Applications

• If we receive multiple applications we will process all applications for consideration as to what we (in our sole discretion) deem the best Applicant, which may not necessarily be the first application received. In such cases, more than one Applicant may be approvable, however only one will eventually be approved. Because we represent the best interest of the property owner, we will accept the best application, which may not necessarily be the first application received.
• In order to evaluate the various applications it is necessary for APMS to expend time and incur cost in processing applications. Hence, our policy is that the application fee is non-refundable. If your application is approvable, but not the approved one for the property for which you are applying, you may consider applying for other available properties that we may have, without payment of an additional application fee.