Finding the right resident is one of the most important steps in protecting your rental investment and creating a great living experience for everyone at the property. At TGN Property Management, we use a clear, consistent, and fair process rooted in objective factors and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws. Below is a transparent look at what our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend when screening applicants—and how we decide whether to approve or deny.
Compliance First: What You Can (and Cannot) Consider
Before any screening, we ground our process in compliance. Fair, consistent criteria protect applicants and owners alike.
- Fair Housing: We never consider race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, familial status, age, or any other protected characteristic.
- Source of Income: In California, it’s illegal to discriminate against lawful income sources, including housing vouchers. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend explicitly stating voucher-friendly policies in listings.
- Criminal Backgrounds: Local rules vary. In some areas, certain criminal history uses are restricted or require individualized assessments. We follow all applicable laws and avoid blanket bans.
- Privacy and Accuracy: Credit and background checks are done through compliant consumer reporting agencies. If we take adverse action based on a report, we provide the appropriate notice and a copy of the report, as required by law.
The bottom line: We apply the same published criteria to every applicant and document our decisions.
The Core Criteria We Use to Approve Applicants
Here’s the objective, housing-related information we evaluate. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend using a point-based rubric that weighs each category consistently.
- Income and Affordability
- Stable, verifiable income: Recent pay stubs, offer letters, tax returns (for self-employed), or benefit statements.
- Rent-to-income ratio: We assess whether rent will be comfortably affordable given total monthly income. We also consider voucher coverage and any required tenant portion.
- All lawful sources of income are counted.
- Credit Profile and Financial Habits
- Payment history: On-time payments weigh favorably; repeated delinquencies or major unpaid debts may raise concerns.
- Debt-to-income: High revolving debt can signal risk even if income is strong.
- Context matters: A thin file or a single older collection may be mitigated by strong income or stellar rental references.
- Rental History and Landlord References
- Positive rental track record: On-time rent, no material lease violations, proper notice given at move-out.
- Prior issues: Documented property damage beyond normal wear, repeated lease violations, or unresolved balances are weighed carefully.
- Professional references: We contact prior landlords to confirm facts; documentation supports the file.
- Eviction and Court Records (Where Allowed)
- Recent, housing-related judgments or evictions are reviewed where legally permissible.
- Individualized review: We consider timing, circumstances, and evidence of stability since the event.
- Employment Verification
- Current employment and tenure help demonstrate stability. For new hires, an offer letter can suffice. For self-employed applicants, bank statements and tax returns are standard.
- Identity Verification and Application Completeness
- Government-issued ID and a fully completed application are required.
- Consistent information: Discrepancies without explanation can delay or impact approval.
- Pets, Service Animals, and Assistance Animals
- Pet policies: We disclose breed, size, and quantity limits where applicable and charge lawful pet fees where permitted.
- Service and assistance animals: Not pets; we evaluate reasonable accommodation requests consistent with the law, without pet fees.
- Occupancy Standards and Property Fit
- Local housing codes and safety considerations guide occupancy limits (e.g., bedroom counts).
- Move-in timing: We consider whether the applicant’s timeline aligns with unit availability.
- Smoking and House Rules
- We enforce the property’s no-smoking or smoking-restricted policies and any community house rules uniformly.
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend publishing these criteria in advance so applicants know exactly what to expect.
What We Never Consider
- Protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, disability, familial status).
- Immigration or citizenship status when not required by law.
- Medical information beyond accommodation requests.
- Arbitrary or inconsistent standards that vary by applicant.
We also avoid blanket “one-strike” rules. For example, we don’t auto-deny for a single late payment from three years ago if rent-to-income, references, and current stability look strong.
How We Make the Final Decision
We use a consistent, documented workflow:
- Weighted scoring: Each category has a clear weight, allowing for a holistic view.
- Individualized assessment: If there’s a negative factor, we review context and any supporting documents (proof of debt resolution, letters of explanation, etc.).
- Conditional approvals: Where lawful, we may offer a conditional approval—for example, with a co-signer or higher deposit—when risk can be responsibly mitigated. We always follow current California limits on security deposits and fees.
- Adverse action notices: If denied (or conditionally approved) based on a consumer report, we provide notices required by law and resources for disputing inaccurate information.
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend inviting applicants to submit explanations proactively if they know an item in their background could raise questions.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants can improve their approval odds with simple steps:
- Prepare documents early: Pay stubs, bank statements, voucher paperwork, ID, and landlord references.
- Be transparent: Explain any late payments or past issues upfront—context helps.
- Mind your debt load: Reducing revolving balances can improve your credit profile.
- Show stability: Demonstrate consistent income or savings to cover unexpected costs.
- Apply promptly and completely: In competitive Los Angeles markets, thorough and timely applications stand out.
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend keeping a single PDF “application packet” handy to streamline submissions.
FAQs
- Do you accept housing vouchers?
Yes. We welcome all lawful sources of income, including vouchers, and evaluate the tenant portion of rent like any other income factor. - Is there a minimum credit score?
We don’t rely on a single number. We evaluate the full picture: payment history, debt levels, income stability, and rental references. - Will a prior eviction automatically disqualify me?
Not necessarily. Where we’re allowed to consider it, we review the date, circumstances, and your demonstrated stability since then. - Can I use a co-signer?
Often yes, when appropriate and within policy. Co-signers must meet stronger financial criteria. - Are application fees refundable?
Application fees cover screening costs and are capped by state law. We disclose fees in advance and follow all refund requirements where applicable.
Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend contacting our team before applying if you’re unsure about documentation or timing—we’ll help you prepare a strong file.
The TGN Property Management Difference
At TGN Property Management, we believe great tenancies start with clear expectations, fair screening, and consistent communication. Our process is transparent, legally compliant, and people-centered—designed to reduce risk for owners while giving qualified applicants every opportunity to succeed.Want our team to handle your leasing from end to end—or have questions about screening criteria for your specific property type or neighborhood?
Contact TGN Property Management today. Our Los Angeles Property Management experts recommend a brief discovery call to align on your property’s goals, timeline, and tenant profile.Note: This article provides general information, not legal advice. Laws can change and may vary by jurisdiction. Consult qualified counsel for guidance on your specific situation.