The California Rental Application Form is often used by a landlord or property management company when seeking a viable candidate for an available rental. This document will help an applicant present his or her information in one place thereby making the candidate’s application process simpler. Additionally, a set form will facilitate a reviewer’s evaluation process in an efficient manner. Due to the sensitive nature of the information a potential tenant must convey, an easily recognizable document with a set format will provide a level of security to both a landlord who must protect confidential documents and an applicant who needs to see such information is taken seriously.
Application Fee (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6) – Initially, landlords could charge a maximum screening fee of $30. This amount may be adjusted annually with the Consumer Price Index. As of February 2020, the maximum application fee is $52.46.
Security Deposit (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)) – California landlords cannot charge an amount exceeding two (2) months’ rent for unfurnished properties, or three (3) months’ rent for furnished properties.
How to Write
Step 1 – Rental Unit –
- Submit the complete address of the rental unit in which the applicant shall apply
Step 2 – Personal Information – Enter the following:
- First name
- Middle initial
- Last name
- Social Security number
- Home telephone number
- Alternate telephone number
- Best time to call
- E-mail address
- Driver’s license number
- State issued identification number
- Expiration date
Step 3 – Rental History – Enter the past three addresses, continued on additional pages if needed
- Current address
- City
- State
- Zip
- Number of years at current address
- Manager/Owner’s name
- Telephone number
- AND
- Previous address
- City
- State
- Zip
- Number of years at the most current previous address
- Manager/Owner’s Name
- Telephone number
Step 4 – Employment History – List history for the past five years adding continuation pages if needed:
- Present Employer (Company)
- Position
- How many years employed with this company
- Supervisor’s name
- Telephone number
- Company street address
- City
- State
- Zip Code
- AND
- Previous Employer (Company)
- Previous position
- How long with this position
- Supervisor’s name
- Telephone number
- Complete street address (company)
- City
- State
- Zip Code
- AND
- Second Previous Employer (if any)
- Position
- How long with this company
- Supervisor’s name
- Telephone number
- Complete company street address
- City
- State
- Zip Code
Step 5 – Financial History – Submit the following:
- Present Monthly income
- Current Annual income
- Additional income (ie: self-employment, child support etc)
- Use the lines provided to list additional income
- AND
- Savings account numbers
- Bank name
- Current balance
- AND
- Enter the information regarding the next two credit card numbers
- Card types – Visa/MasterCard/AmEx, other
- Creditor
Step 6 – Roommate(s) –
- Names
- Relationship to applicant
Step 7 – Pets –
- Does the applicant have pets? (Yes/No)
- If so, offer the pet’s description
- Pet’s name
- Age
- Sex
- Weight
- Breed
- Is the pet spayed/neutered?
- Applicant must check the box if they are willing to pay an additional pet fee and sign a pet agreement.
Ste[ 8 – Personal References – Enter the following information with regard to two (2) personal references, on the form as follows:
- Reference’s name
- Complete address
- City
- State
- Zip Code
- Years known
- Occupation
- Telephone number
Step 9 – Applicant’s vehicle information – Applicant must enter up to two vehicles that would be present on the property as follows:
- Vehicle make
- Model
- Year
- License plate number
- State
- Check each box if the registration of each vehicle is current and insured
Step 10 – Personal History – Answer the following:
- Is applicant currently a smoker? (Check yes or no)
- Has the applicant ever been evicted? (Check yes or no) If yes, explain on the lines provided
- Has the applicant ever filed for bankruptcy? (Check yes or no) If yes, explain on the lines provided
- Has the applicant ever been convicted of a felony? (Check yes or no) If yes, explain
Step 11 – Emergency Information – Provide emergency contact information as follows:
- Name
- Complete Address
- City
- State
- Zip Code
- Telephone number
- Relationship to applicant
Step 12 – Personal Statement/Comment(s) –
- Should there be any other relevant information that the applicant may wish the landlord be aware of, with regard to the applicant, enter this information into the lines provided
Step 13 – Applicant’s Signature – Review the following information before providing signature(s):
- “Applicant represents that all the above statements are true and correct and hereby authorizes verification of the above statements and information including but not limited to the obtaining of a credit report and tenant history report and applicant agrees to furnish additional information on request.”
- Applicant’s Signature
- Date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format
- Amount of Deposit to be included in the application (if any)
- Date payment of deposit in mm/dd/yyyy format
