written rental criteria - Landlord Forum thread 339507

written rental criteria by May (CA) on October 6, 2015 @11:08

Do we have to provide written rental criteria to applicants? If so, when should we provide? Before or after viewing the house?

Do we need to list detail requirements in the written rental criteria ? Like credit score should be over 600, rental history should be over one year? Income should be 2.5 times the rent?

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Re: written rental criteria by Barbara on October 6, 2015 @13:16	[ Reply ]

Anna, Lily, May, it appears you have no idea what you are doing or what is required of a landlord in California. You should take the advice given by posters to find someone who can help guide you, read up on being a landlord in your State or as mention, join your apartment association.

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Re: written rental criteria by anon (CA) on October 6, 2015 @14:21	[ Reply ]

No written criteria required to be told to the applicant or to be written and given to applicant. Your criteria are your criteria. If someone asks you, "What criteria did I not meet?" you do not have to answer specifically. There usually is plenty to choose from, anyway. Suggest you HAVE your own criteria written down in your applicant files or credit check files so you know what you are doing. As simple as: gross income 4 x rent, credit over 700, good references, steady employment x 2 years, etcetera.

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Re: written rental criteria by Andrea (GA) on October 6, 2015 @15:52	[ Reply ]

Actually, there are states that do require that you provide your written criteria to all potential tenants. (I believe Washington State does, for example). I am not familiar with CA state law, but I suggest you research it to be sure. Regardless, you should always have written criteria and it can work to your advantage to supply it, even if the law does not require it. For example, if you indicate that you require a minimum credit score of 700 and a clean criminal background, you will probably minimize the number of unqualified candidates that inquire about your property. That saves everybody time. You are also less likely to be targeted for discrimination if your reason for rejection is clear. Please be advised that if you do turn someone away for something negative on his/her credit report (which is perfectly legal), you MUST advise them of this in an adverse action letter. (Note: this is true whether you share your written criteria or not.) The letter must indicate the credit reporting agency you used and how the applicant can contact the agency. The LPA or most credit screening services can provide you with a template.

Re: written rental criteria