Rental Application FAQ for Contra Costa & Alameda County Rentals

Rental Application Process

• How do I apply for a rental property with PMI Contra Costa?

  Applications are submitted online through our secure application portal. Every applicant age 18 or older must complete a separate application, pay the application fee, and provide all required documentation.

• Can I apply for a rental property online?

  Yes. PMI Contra Costa accepts online rental applications through our secure application portal.

• What constitutes a complete rental application?

  A complete application requires:

  • A signed application from every occupant age 18 or older
  • Payment of the application fee
  • Identity verification
  • Income verification
  • Employment verification
  • Rental history verification
  • All required supporting documents

  Applications are processed only after all required items have been received.

• How much is the application fee?

  The application fee is $55 per adult applicant and is non-refundable once processing and screening have begun. Additional third-party verification fees may apply.

• Will my application fee be refunded if I am denied?

  No. Application fees are generally non-refundable because screening, verification, and processing services begin once the application is submitted.

• How long does it take to process a rental application?

  Most completed applications are reviewed within one to three business days. Processing times may vary depending on the responsiveness of employers, landlords, and third-party verification services.

• How long is my application valid?

  Applications are generally valid for 90 days and may be transferred to another eligible PMI Contra Costa property during that period.

• Can I apply before touring the property?

  Yes. However, we strongly recommend viewing the property in person before applying. While we often provide professional photos, videos, floor plans, and virtual tours, applicants should confirm the property meets their needs before submitting an application.

Required Documents

• What documents do I need to rent a home in California?

  Most applicants will need:

  • Government-issued photo identification
  • Social Security Number
  • Proof of income
  • Current landlord or property manager contact information
  • Current employer contact information
  • Current lease agreement (if applicable)
  • Additional supporting documentation if requested during screening

• What proof of income is accepted?

  Acceptable proof of income may include:

  • Recent pay stubs
  • W-2 forms
  • Tax returns (official IRS tax script)
  • Official job offer letters
  • Social Security benefits
  • Retirement income
  • Disability income
  • Military benefits
  • Child support or spousal support
  • Investment income
  • Other legal, verifiable income sources

• Do landlords verify employment and income?

  Yes. PMI Contra Costa verifies employment and income through third-party verification services and supporting documentation provided by applicants.

• What if I choose not to use electronic income verification?

  Applicants who decline electronic income verification may be required to provide additional documentation, including bank statements, pay stubs, and other supporting financial records.

• What additional documents are required for self-employed applicants?

  Self-employed applicants may be required to provide:

  • Two years of personal and business tax returns
  • Profit and loss statements
  • Balance sheets
  • Recent business and personal bank statements

Income Requirements

• What income is required to rent a home in Contra Costa or Alameda County?

  Generally, household gross monthly income should be at least three (3) times the monthly rent and no less than 2.5 times the monthly rent as net income.

• Can roommates combine income to qualify?

  Yes. We consider the combined verifiable income of all adult applicants who will reside in the property.

Credit & Screening Questions

• What credit score do I need to rent a house in Walnut Creek, Concord, Clayton, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Danville, Dublin, Livermore, or Pleasanton?

  Applicants generally should maintain an average household credit score of at least 675. Applications below this threshold may require additional review, a guarantor, an additional security deposit, or denial.

• What factors determine approval?

  Approval is based on an overall evaluation that may include:

  • Identity verification
  • Credit history
  • Rental history
  • Income verification
  • Employment verification
  • Background screening
  • Pet screening
  • Overall application score.Approval is based on an overall household’s application score that evaluates multiple factors, including income-to-rent ratio, length of employment, rental history, rent payment history, recent late payments, rent increases, returned checks (NSF), credit profile, bankruptcies, derogatory credit items, and, where permitted by applicable law, certain criminal conviction records based on the property's location and local ordinances.

• What credit issues may result in denial?

  Applications may be denied due to:

  • Open collections
  • Rental-related collections
  • Significant delinquent accounts
  • Outstanding utility balances
  • Unpaid judgments
  • Serious adverse credit history
  • Failure to meet minimum qualification standards

• Can I rent a property with bad credit?

  Possibly. Applications are reviewed as a whole. Depending on the circumstances, applicants may qualify with additional conditions, such as a guarantor or an increased security deposit, subject to applicable laws and the owner's approval.

• Do landlords contact previous landlords?

  Yes. We verify rental history and may contact current and previous landlords as part of the screening process.

• What may cause a rental application to be denied?

  Common reasons include:

  • Prior eviction history
  • Negative landlord references
  • Outstanding rental balances
  • Insufficient verifiable income
  • False or incomplete information
  • Failure to meet PMI Contra Costa's rental criteria

Occupants & Household Information

• Are all occupants required to be listed on the application?

  Yes. All occupants who will reside in the property, including minors, must be disclosed on the application before approval.

• What is the maximum occupancy allowed?

  Maximum occupancy is generally two persons per bedroom plus one additional occupant, subject to applicable laws and property-specific restrictions.

First-Time Renters & Guarantors

• Do you rent to first-time renters?

  Yes. First-time renters are welcome to apply. Additional documentation or a qualified guarantor may be required.

• Are co-signers or guarantors accepted?

  Some properties permit guarantors. If accepted, guarantors must meet separate income and credit requirements and complete an application.

Property Availability & Waitlists

• Can I reserve a property before being approved?

  No. Properties cannot be reserved before approval. Applications are processed in the order completed applications are received.

• What happens if multiple applicants apply for the same property?

  Applications are reviewed on a first-completed, first-reviewed basis. If the first approved applicant pays the required security deposit and signs the lease, the property will be removed from the market.

  Applicants on the waiting list may request that their application be transferred to another PMI Contra Costa property.

• Can I transfer my application to another PMI Contra Costa rental property?

  Yes. Applications are generally transferable for up to 90 days, provided the application remains current and the applicant meets the qualification standards for the new property.

Security Deposits & Move-In Costs

• How much money do I need before moving in?

  Move-in costs vary by property and applicant qualifications. Generally, approved applicants should expect to pay:

  • Security Deposit
  • First Month's Rent
  • Lease Onboarding Fee
  • If property is within the HOA, some HOA may require paying a one-time fee directly to them.

  Additional fees may apply depending on the property, as disclosed on the marketing description and approval letter.

• When is the security deposit due?

  Approved applicants are generally required to submit the security deposit within 24 hours of approval to secure the property.

• Is there a lease onboarding fee?

  Yes. Lease Onboarding Fee covers lease preparation, electronic signatures, tenant portal setup, and move-in coordination.

• What is required before receiving keys?

  Before keys can be released, applicants must:

  • Sign all lease documents
  • Pay all move-in funds
  • Provide proof of renter's insurance
  • Transfer required utilities into their name
  • Complete all move-in requirements

• When will I receive my keys?

  Keys, remotes, and access devices are typically released on the lease start date after all lease requirements have been satisfied.

• What happens if I am approved but decide not to move in?

  Applicable charges may be deducted from deposits in accordance with the lease agreement and California law.

Pets & Animals

• Are pets allowed?

  Pet policies vary by property. Please review the property's listing details before applying.

• Do I need to disclose pets or animals before moving in?

  Yes. All pets, assistance animals, and support animals must be disclosed and screened according to PMI Contra Costa policies and applicable Fair Housing laws.

• Do I need to complete pet screening if I do not have a pet?

  Yes. Every applicant must complete a Pet, No-Pet, or Assistance Animal profile through our Pet Screening system.

• Are assistance animals allowed?

  Yes. Assistance Animals are accommodated in accordance with federal and state Fair Housing laws.

• Are there breed restrictions?

  Certain properties and insurance providers impose breed restrictions. Please review the property's requirements before applying.

Rent, Utilities & Insurance

• Is renter's insurance required?

  Yes. All residents must maintain renter's insurance throughout the tenancy.

• Do I need renter's insurance before moving in?

  Yes. Proof of the required liability coverage must be provided before possession of the property is granted.

• Who pays utilities?

  Unless otherwise stated in the lease agreement, residents are responsible for all utility costs associated with the property.

• How do I pay rent after moving in?

  Residents may pay rent through the online tenant portal using approved electronic payment methods. Depending on the property, personal checks, cashier's checks, or money orders may also be accepted.

• Is smoking permitted?

  No. Smoking is prohibited in all PMI Contra Costa managed properties.

Property Condition & Inspections

• Are inspections conducted during tenancy?

  Yes. PMI Contra Costa conducts periodic preventative maintenance and safety inspections to help protect the property and ensure habitability by providing advance notice.

• What condition is the property rented in?

  PMI Contra Costa strives to provide clean, safe, and professionally prepared homes that meet our Minimum Property Standards and are in good working order at move-in. We encourage all applicants to view the property before applying, as the home will be rented in substantially the same condition as shown, except for any repairs or improvements agreed to in writing before move-in.

Housing Voucher & Section 8 Questions

• Do you accept Section 8 and housing vouchers?

  Yes. PMI Contra Costa complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding housing vouchers and source-of-income protections.

• Can voucher holders provide alternative proof of ability to pay?

  Yes. Eligible applicants receiving government rental assistance may provide alternative evidence of their ability to pay their portion of the rent as permitted by California law.

• What documents are required for voucher holders?

  Applicants may be required to provide including but not limited to:

  • Voucher documentation
  • Current lease agreement
  • Rent payment history
  • Utility payment history
  • Bank statements
  • Housing authority contact information

Fair Housing

• Do you comply with Fair Housing laws?

  Yes. PMI Contra Costa fully complies with all federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws and provides equal housing opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, source of income, or any other protected characteristic.