Real Property Management Simplified
APPLICATION CRITERIA

Rental Criteria & Application Policy

Real Property Management Simplified — Los Angeles, CA

(Applies to all Rent-Stabilized and non-RSO properties managed by RPM Simplified)

1. Application Requirements

  • Every person 18 years or older must submit a separate rental application.
  • Each applicant must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, resident card, or other legal identification).
  • Applicants are not required to provide a Social Security Number; an ITIN, foreign passport, or visa is acceptable.
  • Application fee: $59 per person, non-refundable. The fee will not exceed the California statutory maximum under Civil Code §1950.6 (currently $62.02).
  • Applications are accepted only after the applicant or a verified representative has physically viewed the property. This prevents fraud and ensures applicants understand the home’s condition, layout, and neighborhood. No “sight-unseen” applications will be processed unless legally required accommodations are approved.
  • Applications are reviewed on a first-completed, first-considered basis once all required documentation is received.
  • Incomplete, unsigned, or unverifiable applications will not be processed.

2. Income & Credit Requirements

  • Combined gross monthly income must equal at least 2× the monthly rent for conditional approval.
  • Applicants with credit scores of 700+, verified income equal to 3× rent, and a positive rental history are considered fully qualified.
  • Minimum credit score for conditional approval: 690.
  • Applicants below 690 may qualify if they provide a qualified guarantor (see Section 3) or substantial liquid assets equal to at least six months’ rent.
  • All income must be lawful and verifiable. Acceptable proof includes:
    • Two–three recent pay stubs or two months of bank statements,
    • W-2, 1099, or tax return,
    • Offer letter on company letterhead,
    • Proof of self-employment income (business bank statements, invoices, or 1099s).
  • Recipients of rental assistance, vouchers, or subsidies are evaluated solely on their portion of rent in accordance with Gov Code §12955 and SB 267 (2024). Applicants using assistance may substitute “ability-to-pay” documentation (award letter, caseworker statement, or proof of ongoing subsidy).
  • If income or employment cannot be verified to management’s satisfaction, or if provided documents appear altered, falsified, or inconsistent, the application may be denied or held pending verification.

3. Conditional Approval

Conditional approval allows management to approve an applicant who marginally fails one or more criteria without increasing rent or imposing illegal fees, provided risk is mitigated by permissible means under California law.
Examples include:

  • Additional security deposit, not to exceed the maximum allowed under Civil Code §1950.5 (typically two months’ rent for unfurnished, three months for furnished).
  • Qualified co-signer or guarantor meeting Section 4 criteria.
  • Advance rent payment of up to two months (voluntary).
  • Verified savings or assets covering at least six months’ rent.
    Each conditional approval is evaluated case-by-case and documented in writing. All conditions are applied uniformly and in compliance with Fair Housing Act, FEHA, and RSO guidelines.

4. Guarantors & Co-Signers

  • Must complete a full application and meet:
    • Minimum 700 credit score,
    • Income ≥ 4× monthly rent, and
    • Verified residence in the U.S. (California residency preferred).
  • Guarantors are jointly and severally liable and must sign all lease documents.

5. Rental History & Background

  • Applicants must have positive rental history, free of evictions, lease violations, or unpaid rent.
  • At least one year of verifiable income and, when available, five years of landlord references are requested.
  • References are verified directly via email or phone.
  • Applications with open bankruptcies, unpaid judgments, or serious criminal convictions may be denied consistent with Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, Civil Code §1950.6, and federal law.
  • Background checks are evaluated individually, considering nature, severity, and recency of any record.

6. Document Integrity & Fraud Prevention

To protect applicants, owners, and RPM Simplified:

  • All uploaded documents (income verification, ID, bank statements) are automatically screened by AppFolio and third-party fraud-detection systems.
  • Documents flagged as “altered,” “edited with software,” or “containing suspicious modifications” will trigger manual verification with employers or financial institutions.
  • If authenticity cannot be verified, the application will be denied for failure to provide verifiable income under our published criteria.
  • Submission of falsified or manipulated documents is grounds for immediate denial and may be reported to relevant authorities for fraud prevention purposes.

7. Pets & Assistance Animals

  • Pets may be approved with:
    • A completed pet application through PetScreening.com,
    • Pet Fee (one-time, non-refundable), and
    • Monthly Pet Rent per pet.
  • Service and Emotional Support Animals are accepted without fees or restrictions upon lawful verification consistent with HUD Notice FHEO-2020-01 and California Civil Rights Department guidance.

8. Move-In Funds & Insurance

  • Upon approval, one month’s rent and an equal security deposit are due within 72 hours of approval notice, payable by cashier’s check, money order, or electronic transfer.
  • First month’s rent is due prior to move-in; second month may be prorated.
  • Third-party payments from authorized assistance programs are accepted.
  • Residents must maintain liability insurance of $100,000, naming the landlord and Real Property Management Simplified as additional insured. Proof of coverage is required before possession and throughout tenancy.

9. Property Access, Maintenance & Inspections

  • Residents must provide reasonable access for pest-control treatments, property inspections, and legally required maintenance or health/safety repairs following proper notice per Civil Code §1954.
  • Refusal or repeated obstruction of lawful access constitutes a lease violation and may result in corrective action, including potential non-renewal.
  • Entry will occur only after required written notice, except in emergencies.

10. Verification & Screening Process

  • Screening is performed through a licensed third-party consumer-reporting agency in compliance with FCRA, California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, and all privacy laws.
  • All applicants receive an Adverse Action Notice if denied based on consumer-report information.
  • Processing typically takes 2–4 business days once all materials are received.

11. Equal Housing Opportunity Statement

Real Property Management Simplified fully complies with all Federal, State, and Local Fair Housing Laws, including the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, disability, source of income, veteran or military status, or any other protected class.

12. Applicant Acknowledgment

By submitting an application, each applicant confirms that they have:

  1. Personally viewed the property or authorized an RPM Simplified representative to do so;
  2. Read and understood these criteria; and
  3. Provided true and complete information to the best of their knowledge.
    Falsification or omission of material facts may result in denial or termination of tenancy.