SONOMA PROPERTIES

DRE License #01931046

Contact: 707-939-2024 | info@sonomalh.com

1.  GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

 Eligibility

 Each resident over the age of 18 (or emancipated minors with written proof of legal emancipation) must submit a separate rental application, even if married or unemployed

 All applications must be submitted online through our website: www.sonomarents.com

 In-person applications by appointment available upon request

 Required Documentation at Time of Application

 All supporting documentation must be submitted at the time of application completion to avoid delays in processing. Failure to submit complete documentation may result in automatic denial.

 Applicants must provide:

 Valid form of government-issued identification (driver's license, passport, state ID)

 Proof of income (see Income Guidelines section)

 Five (5) years of residential history with landlord/landlady contact information (phone and email)

Contact information for all rental references (phone and email)

 

 Processing Timeline

 Standard processing time: 2-3 business days

 Processing begins immediately upon application submission

 Applicants should alert employers and landlords of their application submission

 Sonoma Properties is not obligated to approve an application upon its submission. Receipt of application constitutes consent to this Application Agreement only and does not bind us to accept the applicant or sign a proposed Lease Contract.

 Important Notice

 If you are not prepared to have your credit run, employment verified, and landlords contacted, DO NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION. THE APPLICATION FEE IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

2.  APPLICATION FEE & PROCESSING

 Application Fee

 Fee Amount: $40.00 per application

 Fee Status: Non-refundable

 Fee Validity: Active for 90 days from date received. The application may be used to apply for any rental properties under Sonoma Properties management during the 90-day period.

 Screening Fee Breakdown

3.  OCCUPANCY STANDARDS

 Permitted Occupancy

 2 adults per bedroom + 1 additional person per household

 This standard complies with Sonoma County occupancy guidelines. Exceeding this limit will result in automatic application denial.

4.  INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

 Renters Insurance (REQUIRED)

 Renters insurance is required for all properties managed by Sonoma Properties.

 Renters Insurance Requirements:

 Policy must name Sonoma Properties as an additional insured or additional certificate holder

 Minimum liability coverage: $500,000.00

 For properties with swimming pools: Minimum liability coverage $1,000,000.00

 Additional insured requirement applies to all properties, including those with pools

 Cost of renters insurance is the responsibility of the tenant

 Proof of insurance must be provided before lease execution

 Pet Insurance (If Applicable)

 Separate pet insurance documentation is required per pet

 Policy must name Sonoma Properties as an additional insured or additional certificate holder

 Proof of insurance must be provided at time of application

 Property Insurance Documentation

 Renters insurance policy covers tenant belongings only.

5.  CREDIT GUIDELINES

 Credit Report Requirements

 A credit report will be obtained for each applicant using Experian

 Sonoma Properties does not accept credit reports from outside sources

 Credit report is obtained at time of application screening

 Minimum Credit Score

 Minimum FICO Score Required: 650

 If an applicant does not meet this requirement, we will reach out to offer the option of a co-signer (see Co-Signer Requirements section).

 Automatic Denial Criteria

 An application will result in automatic denial if any of the following conditions are present:

 Evictions on record — Any eviction (unlawful detainer) in rental history

 Negative rental reference — Including but not limited to: late rent payments, nuisance complaints, property damage beyond normal wear and tear, lease violations

 Collections related to rental or previous rental history

 Undischarged Bankruptcy

 Unpaid balances owed to rental or utility companies

 Criminal conviction for distribution or manufacturing of illegal substances

 False information and/or falsified documentation provided in application

 Two (2) or more collection accounts

 Exceeding occupancy limit

 Abusive behavior and/or language during viewing and/or application process

 If any of these criteria are met, the applicant will be notified of denial and will not be considered for reapplication within 12 months.

6.  INCOME GUIDELINES

 Minimum Income Requirement

 Combined monthly gross income must be no less than 3 times the monthly rent amount

 Example: For a property renting at $2,000/month, minimum combined gross monthly income = $6,000

 Income Requirements

 All income must be legal and verifiable

 Multiple income sources are allowed; verification required for each source

 Acceptable Proof of Income

 Provide two (2) of the following:

 Two most recent pay stubs (within 30 days)

 Two months of current bank statements showing full name and deposit amounts

 Last two years of tax returns/1040 forms (for self-employed or variable income)

 Employment verification letter on company letterhead

 Social Security/disability/retirement benefit statements

 For self-employed applicants: See Self-Employed Applicants section

7.  RENTAL HISTORY & VERIFICATION

 Rental History Requirement

 Five (5) years of rental history is required for each applicant

 Verification must be obtained either verbal or in writing

 Family members will not be considered as landlords when verifying rental references

 Verification Process

 Applicants must provide both phone and email contact information for all current and previous landlords/property managers.

 To expedite verification:

 Request that landlords submit a tenant ledger on company letterhead or from property management software

 Notify landlords and employers of application submission in advance

 If Rental History Is Insufficient

 If an applicant cannot provide five (5) years of rental history, a co-signer is required (see Co-Signer Requirements section), unless the applicant meets co-signer credit and income thresholds on their own.

8.  PET POLICY

 Pet Eligibility

 Only select properties allow pets

 DO NOT submit an application if the property advertises as "no pets"

 City and county limits on the number of allowable pets per household apply — Verify pet count with local jurisdiction requirements

 Pet Application & Documentation

 Separate pet application required per pet Pet insurance proof is required:

 Policy must name Sonoma Properties as an additional insured or additional certificate holder

 Proof of insurance must be submitted with application

 Pet Application Processing

 Pet applications are processed concurrently with tenant applications. Approval of the applicant does not guarantee pet approval; pets are reviewed separately.

 Pet Rent

 Pet rent is required for most properties that accept pets and is $50 per month per pet.

9.  ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

 Assistance Animals & Emotional Support Animals

 Written verification is required for assistance animals and emotional support animals

 Verification must be provided on professional letterhead from a licensed mental health provider, physician, or other qualified professional

 Letter must state that the animal is necessary for a disability-related need

 Assistance animals are not subject to pet rent or pet restrictions

 Section 8 & Government Rental Assistance Applicants

 Sonoma Properties welcomes qualified Section 8 voucher holders and applicants receiving other government rental assistance programs.

 Section 8 and subsidy applicants are subject to all general application criteria listed above, plus the following:

 Alternative Income Documentation

 Section 8 and subsidy applicants may present alternative evidence of their ability to pay the tenant's portion of rent:

 Government benefit statements

 Pay records from the subsidizing agency

 Bank statements showing subsidy deposits

 Income Threshold for Subsidy Applicants

 Income requirement: Minimum of 3 times the tenant's portion of rent (not total rent)

 Income must be verifiable

 All governmental program documents must be submitted with the application

 Alternative Credit Documentation

 If a section8 or subsidy applicant does not meet the minimum 650 FICO credit score requirement, they may provide an alternative credit report showing:

 Consistent and on-time payment history for no less than 12 months

 Examples: PG&E bills, water bills, utility bills, or other regular payment history

 Alternative report must demonstrate no late payments during the 12-month period

 Required Agreement

 A completed and signed RFTA (Rent Furnished to Applicant) agreement is required to complete the application process

 Processing Note

 Section 8 and subsidy applicants receive equal consideration in our screening process in compliance with Fair Housing requirements.

 Self-Employed Applicants

 List yourself in the application as the owner

 Provide your own contact details Required documentation:

 Proof of income: Last two years of tax returns (1040 and Schedule C)

 Proof of business ownership: Business license, LLC formation documents, or business registration

10.  CO-SIGNER REQUIREMENTS

 When a Co-Signer Is Required

 A co-signer is required if any of the following apply:

 Applicant's credit score is below 650 FICO

 Applicant cannot provide five (5) years of rental history

 Applicant does not meet the 3x monthly rent income requirement

 Unless the applicant meets all co-signer qualification thresholds on their own, in which case a co-signer is not needed

 Co-Signer Qualifications

 Minimum credit score: 750 FICO

 Minimum income requirement: 4 times the monthly rent (gross monthly income)

 State residency: Co-signer must reside in California

 Co-signer must be willing to guarantee the lease obligation

 Co-Signer Application Process

 Separate application required for each co-signer

 All supporting documents required of the primary applicant are required of the co-signer

 Co-signer credit report will be pulled at time of application

 Co-signer is subject to the same screening criteria as primary applicants (credit, income, rental history, automatic denial criteria)

11. APPROVAL & MOVE-IN PROCESS

 Property Viewing Requirement

 At least one applicant in the application group must view the property in person

 Approval Notification

 Approved applicants will be notified directly by Sonoma Properties

 Notification will include next steps in the lease execution and move-in process

 Sonoma Properties does not approve applications until all criteria are confirmed as met

 Property Hold Period

 Once approval is provided, Sonoma Properties will hold the property for the approved applicant for a maximum of 10 days from the date of approval

 After 10 days, the applicant must begin paying rent or the application will be denied and the property released to other applicants

 Security Deposit Payment

 To secure the property, the applicant must pay the security deposit (equal to one month of rent) within 3 days of approval

 Failure to remit the security deposit within this timeframe will result in application denial

 Lease Execution & Move-In

 After security deposit payment and final lease terms are agreed, the lease will be prepared for execution

 Move-in date will be coordinated with the applicant and Sonoma Properties

 All required documentation (renters insurance proof, utility setup confirmation, etc.) must be provided before or at move-in

12.  EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

 Fair Housing Commitment

 Sonoma Properties and its agents are committed to providing equal housing opportunities to all rental applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, familial status, or other protected status under Fair Housing laws.

 We welcome qualified applicants from all protected classes, including:

 Section 8 voucher holders

 Government rental assistance recipients

 Applicants with disabilities requiring assistance animals

 Families with children

 All other protected classes under Fair Housing Act

 Non-Smoking Policy

 All properties managed by Sonoma Properties are non-smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes/vaping). This applies to all units, common areas, and balconies/patios.

13.  APPLICATION AUTHORIZATION & AGREEMENT

 Applicant Authorization

 By submitting an application, you irrevocably authorize Sonoma Properties to:

 Obtain your credit report

 Verify your employment and income

 Contact previous landlords and landlords' references

 Conduct background and eviction searches

 Keep a copy of your application and all submitted documents

 Our receipt of your application is consent only to this Application Agreement. It does not bind us to accept you as a tenant or to sign a proposed Lease Contract. An application will only be approved if all aforementioned criteria are met.

 Questions?

 Contact Sonoma Properties:

 Phone: 707-939-2024

 Email: info@sonomalh.com

 Website: www.sonomarents.com

 Mailing Address: 669 Broadway, Suite A, Sonoma, CA 95476

 Updates to This Policy

 This policy is subject to change at the sole discretion of Sonoma Properties. All applicants are responsible for reviewing the current version of this policy at the time of application submission.