Policies and Procedures

BAKER & ASSOCIATES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT RENTAL GUIDELINES

Thank you for your interest in an Baker & Associates Property Management home. Please carefully review the following guidelines before submitting your application. If you have questions, we can be reached at 707-542-4700 or info@bakerrentals.net.

Although we generally are able to successfully process applications within a day or two, the most common reasons for delay are missing information on an application, lack of supporting documentation for income verification, and inability to verify housing references. If you need to submit paystubs or supporting income documentation, please send it to the application processing team – info@bakerrentals.net.

General Guidelines
1. We do not rent sight unseen. For your protection, we require that you inspect the interior of the unit of your choice carefully to ensure amenities listed are actually present.

2. All individuals 18 years of age or older (or emancipated minors with written proof of legal emancipation) who will reside at the property must complete a separate application. Missing or incomplete information will delay or prevent verification and result in the denial of your application.

3. We require a $52.00 screening fee. The screening fee must be paid by credit card online.

4. Allowable occupancy is 2 persons per bedroom plus 1 additional person per unit.

5. You must submit a current, government-issued photo ID along with your completed application.

6. Co-signers (guarantors) will be allowed for credit, income and rental/mortgage history requirements only, must meet all financial areas of the guidelines, reside in California, and must have a minimum gross monthly income equal to four times the monthly rent.

7. All of our properties require renter’s insurance. Policy coverage shall include a minimum of $100,000 liability if no pets and a minimum of $500,000 if Landlord has approved a pet dog. NOTE: no additional insurance will be required for an approved emotional/assistance animal.

8. All properties are non-smoking.

9. All applications must be submitted online.

10. We use a third-party pet policy service, all applicants must create a tenant-only or a pet/animal profile. Applicants should please go to the link below:

Credit Guidelines
1. A credit report will be obtained for each applicant (we do not accept credit reports from outside sources).

2. The following FICO scores will be required:
a. Minimum FICO scores of 625.
b. Applicants who do not meet the FICO/credit guidelines due to having little or no established credit history, but who otherwise meet the screening criteria, can submit a Co-Signer application, if property allows for a co-signer.

3. Any unpaid collections, judgments, or outstanding balances related to an existing or previous rental property will result in the application being denied.

4. All Bankruptcies less than seven years old must be discharged.

5. Your application will be denied if you have been convicted of manufacture and/or distribution of illegal controlled substances within the last 10 years, or are currently engaged in the manufacture and/or distribution of illegal controlled substances.

Income Guidelines
1. The combined applicants Gross Monthly Income must equal three (3) times the monthly rent.

2. All income must be legal, verifiable in writing, and paid directly to the applicant or a representative of the applicant. Acceptable forms of income verification include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. W2 Employees: Copies of the most recent year to date paystub. Handwritten paystubs must be supported by bank statements reflecting the deposits. A Verification of Employment (VOE) will be required.
b. Self-employed: IRS 1040 (first two pages of the most recent tax return) and Schedule C (profit and loss statement of the most recent tax return). 3 most current bank statements supporting the income. We will use the most recent tax return net income + depreciation divided by the number of months reported. A CPA prepared and signed Profit and Loss statement will be considered in lieu of the income reported on the most recent Tax Return. Applicant(s) that hold a job that is based mainly off of tips, bonuses or commissions will be considered self-employed;
c. Proof of child and/or spousal support payments.
d. Proof of social security income, disability or other government income.
e. Proof of retirement or trust fund income.
f. Current offer letter for income/employment verification.
g. Proof of assets that show at least 3 times the annual market rent of the home; or
h. Any other written proof of legal, verifiable income paid directly to the applicant or a representative of the applicant.

Rental and/or Mortgage History Requirements

1. We require written or verbal Verification of Rent (VOR) or Verification of Mortgage (VOM) on all applicants. Family members will not be considered landlords for the purpose of completing a VOR. Rental references are considered unverifiable if, after three working days, your landlord has not returned our phone calls, emails or faxes.

2. Positive Rental or Mortgage History is defined as follows:
a. No more than 1 late payments or 1 3-Day Notices to Pay or quit per each 12 month period.
b. No more than 1 NSF check per each 12 month period.
c. No outstanding balances owed.
d. No default and/or breach of a lease.
e. No more than 1 disturbances, complaints or lease rule violations during each 12 month period.
f. No evictions or foreclosures during the last 7 years

3. The following Rental or Mortgage History Verification will result in an automatic denial:
a. More than 1 late payments or 1 3-Day Notices to Pay or Quit per each 12 month period.
b. More than 1 NSF check per each 12 month period.
c. Outstanding balances owed on previous rentals.
d. More than 1 disturbances, complaints or lease rule violations during each 12 month period.
e. Any evictions or foreclosures during the last 7 years

Cosigners
1. The property owner has the discretion to decide whether they will accept a cosigner. Cosigners are accepted to offset deficiencies in income, rental history, or credit.
a. Cosigner must provide valid driver’s license, passport or other government issued identification with photo.
b. Credit score must be at least 700.
c. Other outstanding credit payments cannot exceed 40% of gross monthly income (excluding proposed rent amount).
d. Gross monthly income for individual cosigner must be at least 4 times the proposed monthly rent. Proof of income must be provided in accordance with the Income Guidelines listed on this document.

Should we be unable to verify any of the information on any application, if the application is incomplete, or if any of the statements are found to be false, the application, and any grouped applicants, will be denied. If an application is denied, you may reapply after 90 days from the date of the denial. However, if the denial was based on lack of receipt of verifications, we will reconsider the application prior to the 90 days upon request of the applicant. Completed applications are processed as quickly as possible and in the order in which they are received. The first completed qualified application which meets the property’s screening criteria will be offered the property for rent. Applications will not be pre-screened.

Once an application has been completed, you will be notified of the result via mail or telephone. An approved application does NOT guarantee you a unit. An approved application will only determine your eligibility to rent the unit you have applied for and will be good for 90 days. If your application is approved and your move in date is set for more than 3 business days, you will be required to pay “move in monies” (1 full months rent + security deposit) via online tenant portal and sign you rental agreement within 2 business days of acceptance. Should your move in date take place within 3 business days, you will need to complete a Holding Deposit Agreement and pay “move in monies” in the form of a cashier’s check or money order only. We prorate the second month of move in. Should you decide to not rent the unit, we will deduct and retain from the Holding Deposit lost rental damages as set forth in the Holding Deposit Agreement.

Only select properties allow pets. The following breeds are not permitted: Pit Bulls, Alaskan Malamutes, Rottweilers, Akita, Chow, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Siberian Husky, Wolf-hybrid, Presa Canario and any dog that has any of the above breeds in their lineage. If a dog has a history of violent behavior, it is determined to be a dangerous dog no matter what its pedigree and it is then not allowed on the property. A photo of your pet is required as well as an additional Security Deposit. Assistive animals for persons with disabilities are not considered “pets” and are exempt from the foregoing, but do require a complete and approved screening via Petscreening website. Petscreening will request the necessary documentation to complete a verification of authenticity.

THE FOREGOING ARE THE REQUIREMENTS THAT AN APPLICANT MUST FULFILL TO QUALIFY TO RENT A PROPERTY MANAGED BY BAKER & ASSOCIATES. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.

I hereby irrevocably authorize Baker & Associates to keep a copy of the application and all documents submitted. Your application submission is your signature of your agreement to the above.

The Screening Fee pays for the following cost incurred by Baker & Associates:
Actual cost of credit report, unlawful detainer (eviction) search, and/or other screening reports. – $11.00
Cost to obtain, process and verify screening information (may include staff time and other soft costs) – $41.00
Minimum Cost to Baker & Associates – $52.00

Paid Third Party Verifications, such as the Work Number, are the applicant’s financial responsibility and are not covered in the $52.00 screening fee.