Applicants

Federal and State Fair Housing laws prohibit harassment or discrimination in housing because of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status, military status, and/or source of income.

The following requirements are what we deem as necessary in order to qualify to rent:

•    A signed copy of the Tenant Screening Policy by all applicants.

•    A completed and signed Application to Rent for each applicant 18 years of age or over. Applicants who are 18 years or over who do not have the legal capacity to enter into a rental agreement must complete an Application to Rent but will be not be financially responsible for the rental agreement.

•    Each application is valid for 90 days from date of screening. eHomes of Bakersfield reserves the right to request updated income information based on the date of the initial screening.

•    A $35 screening fee in money order or cashier’s check, no cash or personal checks, for each Application to Rent. In the event that your application is not screened, the screening fee will be refunded in full. The $35 fee is broken down as follows:

1. $20 – Cost for the reports obtained by eHomes of Bakersfield
2. $15 – Cost of time spent by eHomes of Bakersfield verifying and analyzing the reports

o    Current government issued photo identification
o    Social Security Card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
o    Proof of income which may include:

1. One month’s paycheck stub(s)
1. Stub must contain applicants name, current address, last 4 of social security number, employers name & address, the dates of the pay period, and the pay rate.
2. Social security award letter
3. Retirement payment schedules
4. Student financial aid award letter
5. Public or government assistance award letters
6. Documentation for other sources of legal and verifiable income
7. Self-employed applicants must bring prior year tax returns and current year profit and loss statement

•    A cumulative Income to Rent Ratio must be at least 2.5 times the rent amount

•    The highest credit score of all applicants must be at least 600

•    Applicants where the highest credit score of all applicants is below 600, an applicant is listed on a sex offender registry and/or an applicant has a criminal history of felony: drug/marijuana trafficking/manufacturing, crimes against persons, crimes against property, crimes against society, sexual offenses, violent offenses, and/or weapon offenses are generally denied but can be approved by a supervising Broker.

•    Applicants in the following situations will be denied: a cumulative income to rent ratio of less than 2.5 times, open bankruptcies, collection placed by another property management company, unlawful detainer (eviction) judgement against the applicant, and/or applicant listed in the Office of Foreign Asset Control records.

•    Security Deposit Calculation

1. California law limits the security deposit to two month’s rent for unfurnished units and three month’s rent for furnished units.
2. Active military personnel are only required to pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent regardless of credit score.
3. If the income to rent ratio is 2.5 – 2.99 times the rent amount a security deposit equal to 150% of one month’s rent will be required. If the income to rent ratio is 3 or more the security deposit is equal to 100% of one months rent.
   
4. If the highest credit score of all occupants is between 600 – 649 the security deposit is equal to 150% of one month’s rent or applicants can provide a cosigner with a 650 or better credit score. If the highest credit score of all occupants is 650 or more, the security deposit is equal to 100% of one month’s rent.
5. If the income to rent ratio and credit security deposit calculation differ, the higher security deposit amount will be used.
   

Notwithstanding the foregoing policy, as part of an overall effort to assist the community in combating homelessness, properties may be set aside to benefit the Housing Authority of the County of Kern in conjunction with the Landlord Partnership Program.

Applicant understands and agrees that: (i) this is an application to rent only and does not guarantee that applicant will be offered the property; (ii) Agent may receive more than one application for the property and will process them in order of completed application(s) received, and (iii) Applicant will provide a copy of applicant’s current government issued photo ID upon request.

Applicant represents the above information to be true and complete, and hereby authorizes Landlord or Agent to: (i) verify the information provided; and (ii) obtain a credit report on applicant; and obtain an “Investigative Consumer Report” (“ICR”) on and about applicant. An ICR may include, but not be limited to, criminal background checks, reports on unlawful detainers, bad checks, fraud warnings, and employment and/or tenant history. Applicant further authorizes Landlord or Agent to disclose information to prior or subsequent owners and/or agents with whom applicant has had, or intends to have, a rental relationship.

If applicant is approved, applicant must pay a holding deposit equivalent to one month’s rent in certified funds within 2 business days and be ready to sign a 12 month residential lease agreement and take possession of the unit within 15 calendar days unless an alternate lease period or possession time is approved by eHomes of Bakersfield. The holding deposit will be credited to the security deposit once a residential lease agreement has been signed.

If applicant chooses not to enter into the residential lease agreement after paying the holding deposit, eHomes of Bakersfield will deduct from the holding deposit “lost rental damages” to cover the lost opportunity to rent the unit. eHomes of Bakersfield and applicant agree that “lost rental damages” will be 1/30th of the monthly rent for each day the unit was taken off the market, beginning the date the holding deposit is received and ending the date a new holding deposit is received or the amount owed exceeds the amount of the holding deposit.