This can vary greatly depending on the type of market/neighborhood you are in. The more details you can provide the better. ie. class A, B, or C hood. etc.

It all depends on your market.

I am VERY fussy about what tenants I take, but thats because my market will support my selective policy. Yours may not.

Over the years, I have found that the best single criteria is the apparent possession of a B.A.. Such people are generally responsible and possess the attribute that I can reason with them.

A clean credit record is a requirement to go with the B.A.

My kind of tenant will have enough cash-on-hand o provide a security deposit of a month's rent plus the cost of doing an uncontested eviction. With rents as high as they are these days, here in southern CA, more than that is A LOT of money.

Don't take a tenant who has ever been evicted, or who talks about pushing back against authority. Pets are death to my properties, I don't allow them AT ALL.

This is probably a Class C hood, but seeing alot of sales in the area. What sort of credit requirements would be reasonable these days for tenants? Neighborhood rents have gone up significantly since I last rented it about 5 years ago.

I require a "clean" credit record: No unpaid bills, no evictions, no unbearable debt load.

I can get that in my market. Income doesn't matter, except that there must be enough money to pay the bills.

Top criteria--- been on the same job a number of years-- top of the top. We don't want top notch tenants who stay and stay and stay. Our dep is advertised at about 75.00 less than the asking rent. So rent 975, dep is 900. Do they get 900-- NO (maybe 1 our of 20 does but most no). As we look at the stub and residential history-- the deposit starts going up and up. When it reaches its max we then do the credit report. So thew 900 Dep looks good and gets them in the door and interested. That however doesn't get us interested. You have to look at the whole package and app. We don't take anyone in B/K and no one who is being evicted from where they are living NOW for non payment. The more dispos they have the higher the Dep. Yes of course there is a limit and just seeing a dispo in the GA market-- isn't shocking. When you look at them and there's judgments -- now thats when the pendulum swings way left.

Our revenue is not just rents. When the economy was bad we had upward of 400K in collection. Now that everyone is working and have been for a year or 2 out garnishments are way down.

3x rent in VERIFIABLE income

at least two years continuous employment, 6 months at current job

a "good" credit score (depends on the provider)

No past evictions or collections from landlords

No criminal records for 5 years, ever for assault related

Positive, respectful attitude towards people and property

I have different requirements from "single family homes" and "apartments". Also depending on the grade of property: A, B or C.

Since I don't like turnovers, I want someone who "wants" to be in my rental. Location to the job, friends and family.

Good credit report with little debt. Makes enough money to pay the bills and rent on time. In case of a job loss, has the resources to keep on paying their rent for months. Such as savings, credit available.

Pets can be a problem or a plus. Sometimes I'll allow an older broken in pet that get's along with people and other animals. No mean dogs anymore, they need to be a bundle of love. Not out for their next bit or attack.

People skills -- knows how to communicate.

I don't allow drugs, drunks or criminals when in multi-family properties because I need to protect my other tenants. One bad apple and everyone runs for the hills.

On top of this list, there is the general requirements put out by Mr. Landlord and other apartment groups.

HD,

You are allowed to have different criteria cor different homes

BUT

They MUST be in writing for the day the Fair Housing Inspector knocks on your door.

We attach my checklist to every app.

We set our criteria high. As I have been taught if no one meets my written criteria I can go back and choose the best qualified.

I’m thumbing this on my phone so I’ll post my full criteria when I get to my desktop.

BRAD 20,000-

Rental Application Screening Criteria Name Date

(Criteria is set high. If no one qualifies you may go back and choose.)

___ Not a friend or relative, including church and work acquaintances.

___ Ready to move now or when the vacancy is expected

___ Pays similar rent now

___ Cooperative attitude, dependable

___ All persons age 18+ submitted a signed application

___ Photos IDs on all persons age 18+

___ Employment documented, minimum 12 months, with that employer

-Temp agencies do not count

-Lateral job change or upgrade is OK, not job hopping

-Garnishable: No self employed, SSI, disability, or Section8

(where SOURCE OF INCOME is not a protected class)

___ Gross monthly combined income is 4 times the rent. TOTAL AFFORD $___________ /mo

---------OR use 42% of net income

15% of gross is allowed for transportation*

15% of gross is allowed for student loans*

--------*anything greater than 15% is subtracted from the RENT AFFORD total

___ Has a rental history of 2 or more landlords. (Exception: enrolled students for student housing)

___ Good reference from PREVIOUS landlord, not the current

___ Non-Smoker

___ No animals

___ No evictions in the recent 5 years

___ No current garnishments or Wage Assignments

___ No violent, drug, or dangerous crime convictions in past 10 years

___ No pending lawsuits, court appearances, DUI…

___ Not on Sex Offender list

___ Facebook

___ Google

___ YouTube

___ Credit score 700 or greater (credit reports only required for out of state)

___ Contacted. Has Deposit and First Month Rent ready

___ Has toured the home

___2 Minute In Home Visit shows clean, odor free, damage free, animals controlled

Applicant MUST be approved on every line. If not the manager may choose the best applicant.

Date: _______ Approved _______ Offered lease for 24hours

_______ On hold pending more info ______ Denied

looking over your list. Very impressive requirements. Here in the great state of GA and city of Atlanta--#1 you'd be out of business because #2 no one could get in the units.

Most people don't qualify with that outline even for buying a home let alone renting here. Honestly I would say in 35 years I've had one applicant, a USMC, man who may have qualified.

Am I the only one who thinks this list is BS?