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Tenant Rental Criteria & FAQs

Answers to your common questions

Rental Criteria

  • Application Process

    • The rental unit will be offered to the first qualified applicant with a complete application file. A complete application file includes verification of all income (regardless of source), previous residential history, a credit report (or alternative verifiable evidence of ability to pay rent if receiving a government rent subsidy), a background screening report, a pet screening profile (including a NO pet profile if applicable), and verification of identity.
    • Rental application will not be processed until all required documents are submitted and at least one applicant or a designated representative has viewed the property in person.
    • The application fee is $59.95. This payment partially defrays the cost of administrative paperwork. Applicant hereby accepts and agrees that the following shall serve as a copy of the receipt for the application fee paid by the applicant to Five Star Property Management.
      • Cost of credit report, unlawful detainer (eviction) search, and/or other screening reports from our provider – $25.00
      • Cost to obtain, process and verify screening information (may include staff time and other soft costs) – $34.95
      • Minimum Cost to Five Star Property Management $59.95
      • Paid Third Party Verification services, such as the Work Number, PetScreening.com, etc., are the applicant’s financial responsibility and are not covered in the $59.95 application fee paid to Five Star Property Management.
    • Application fees paid to Five Star Property Management are non-refundable after an application has been processed. The application will remain valid for (60) sixty days and can be applied to an alternative unit in our portfolio within that time period.
    • If an application fee is received but the application is not processed, the $59.95 fee paid to Five Star Property Management will be refunded within (7) seven business days via the original payment method.
    • Refunds from any Paid Third Party Verification services, such as the Work Number, PetScreening.com, etc., are the applicant’s sole responsibility. Applicant hereby understands and agrees that Five Star Property Management has no ownership or control over Third Party Verification providers such as the Work Number, PetScreening.com, etc.

  • Good Rental History

    • No history of late rental payments (COVID-related rental debt as defined under state law will be excluded from consideration).
    • No conduct that unreasonably interferes with the quiet enjoyment of other residents or management operations.
    • No damage to property in excess of ordinary wear and tear in excess of $1,000.00.

  • Verifiable Gross Income

    Please note that all properties require EACH applicant to have a combined minimum verifiable gross income of at least (3) three times the monthly rent. We will accept all income which is lawful, verifiable, paid to a tenant, a representative of a tenant, or on behalf of a tenant (including all federal/state/local public assistance and subsidies, including but not limited to Section 8 and VASH vouchers). For applicants with government subsidies, any income to rent ratio will be based on the tenant portion of the rent and not the full rental rate.

    Proof of income, e.g. (2) two recent pay stubs, (2) two most recent bank statements, (2) two years of most recent tax returns, P&L + BS, proof of social security/disability/welfare/other government payments, proof of investments/trust income, proof of retirement income, proof of student loan/grant awards, court ordered income such as spousal/child support, Section 8/VASH vouchers/other forms of government assistance/rent subsidies, and/or any other written proof of lawful, verifiable income.

  • Credit History

    Each resident over the age of 18 must have a minimum FICO score of 700. Additionally, the credit history must show that the resident has paid bills on time and does not have a history of debt write-offs or accounts that have gone into collection.

    Section 12955 of the California Government Code allows applicants for rental housing who receive a government rent subsidy, including a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, the option to provide alternative verifiable evidence of their ability to pay the rent each month in lieu of allowing a landlord to use the applicant’s credit history.

    If you will be receiving a government rent subsidy which will cover a portion of your rent each month, you will be asked to select one of the following screening options:
    • I authorize the Landlord to use my credit history as part of the application process
    • I will provide alternative evidence of ability to pay the rent requested by Landlord, including, but not limited to, bank statements, pay records, government benefit payments, and verification of any other sources of income to demonstrate ability to pay the rent each month.

  • Property Condition

    Prior to move in, a MOVE IN/MOVE OUT FORM will be completed which includes HD Video and photos. A copy of the written report will be provided to tenant(s) and the tenant(s) have (7) seven days to add any additional items and return this report to our office. Any missing or incomplete reports are subject to a $250 fee.

    Typically, our units are ‘Rent Ready’ when we are showing them and will be rented in the condition you see them. If there is something cosmetic in nature that you want addressed prior to accepting a unit, this should be made known BEFORE signing your lease. After the lease is signed, it is a binding agreement.

  • What is your pet policy?

    Please make sure to read the property description carefully, as each property has different allowances regarding pets. Please note the following breeds that are NOT accepted due to Landlord Insurance restrictions:

    • Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Presa Canarios, Chows Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Wolf-hybrids, Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Great Danes, Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and any mix with these breeds.
    • Maximum number of animals per property shall not exceed (4) four (with some HOA communities imposing stricter limits).
    • $500/per pet, deposit.
    • Pet Profile to be completed at Pet Screening.com. Please note, we use a third-party pet/ no pet/ assistance animal verification service. ALL applicants must create a PET, NO PET, and/or an ASSISTANCE ANIMAL profile. Applicants should go to this link to complete the profile: https://gofivestarpm.petscreening.com

  • Things to know before renting with us

    • DUE AT LEASE SIGNING
      • Full Security Deposit and First Full Month’s Rent
      • Proof of renters insurance
      • Pet Rent of $25/month per pet, in addition to a $500/per pet deposit (if pets are approved and accepted at the property).
    • RENT SHOULD PAID ONLINE VIA THE TENANTS PORTAL
      • Rent is always due on the 1st
      • Late fees will be applied at Midnight on the 3rd
      • When funds are collected, late fees and outstanding balances will be paid before any funds are applied to current rent
    • WE CONDUCT AN ANNUAL PROPERTY CONDITION REVIEW ON EACH PROPERTY
      • We may use a 3rd party service to conduct the service
      • Smoke Alarms will be tested
      • Air Filters will be checked
      • Access to EACH Room is required, including the garage and HVAC Closet. Photos of each room may be taken (Walls, Flooring, Light Fixtures, Smoke Alarms, Under Sinks, Air filters, Etc)

  • Equal Opportunity Housing Company

    As a company, we do business in accordance with federal/state/local fair housing laws, and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex/gender, handicap/disability, familial status, national origin, source of income, primary language spoken, citizenship status, immigration status, gender identity/expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military/veteran status, perception, association, any arbitrary basis, and/or any other protected classes under federal, state, and/or local laws.

FAQs