Rental criteria

Who applies, and how

• Every occupant 18 or older submits an application and a valid photo ID.
• An 18-year-old who is a student living with their parents completes an application and provides ID, but doesn’t need a credit or background check.
• Applications are taken through RentSpree only, using the Apply button on each home’s page.
• The application and credit check is $40 per applicant, paid through RentSpree. We don’t pull credit ourselves.

How applications are processed

Complete applications are processed first come, first served, and the first applicant who qualifies is approved. An application is complete when every adult in the household has applied and submitted every requested document. We can’t hold a home for an incomplete application.

What we look for

• Good rental history, with contact information for prior landlords.
• Verifiable income: pay stubs or bank statements. Self-employed applicants can submit bank statements, 1099s, a business license, or tax returns. Please send PDFs; screenshots aren’t accepted.
• Household income of 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.
• A credit score of 650 or higher. A lower score, or no credit history, can still qualify when your debt-to-income ratio is 40% or less.

Applications are declined when debt exceeds 50% of income, or when there are collections from a cash advance lender or a prior landlord.

Housing vouchers and rent subsidies

Source of income is a protected class in California, and a voucher is never a reason we decline an application. If you have a government housing voucher or other rent subsidy:

• We don’t run a credit check.
• Income needs to be 3 times your portion of the rent, not the full rent.
• You show your ability to pay with verifiable records of your choice, such as on-time rental payment history and a landlord reference, 12 months of utility, car, or phone payment history, or bank statements.

These adjustments come from California Government Code §12955.

Pets and assistance animals

Each listing shows whether pets are allowed. Pets must be documented and approved before move-in, and additional pet rent may apply.

Service animals and emotional support animals are not pets. They aren’t subject to pet restrictions, pet rent, or pet deposits. If the disability-related need for an assistance animal isn’t obvious, we may ask for reliable documentation of that need, as fair housing law allows. Call (951) 248-1875 to request an accommodation.

Once you’re approved

1. The security deposit is due within 24 hours of approval.
2. The lease is signed within 24 hours of approval.
3. The lease starts within 2 to 3 weeks of approval.
4. If the deposit or the lease isn’t completed in time, the approval is forfeited.

The security deposit and first month’s rent are paid by cashier’s check or money order. After the first month, you can pay online, through the resident portal, by wire, or by mailing a check.

Fair housing

America's Best Property Management follows federal and California fair housing law. We do not discriminate on any basis protected by law, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, familial status, and source of income. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply, call (951) 248-1875.