Income, Credit & Application Requirements – South Lake Tahoe, California
We follow California landlord–tenant law, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and all applicable fair housing and screening fee statutes. The standards below explain how income, credit, and documentation are evaluated for rental qualification in El Dorado County.
1. Income-to-Rent Ratio
Applicants must demonstrate verifiable gross household income sufficient to reasonably cover rent obligations. Many landlords require household income equal to at least 3× the tenant’s portion of the monthly rent. If a tenant uses a housing subsidy, only the portion of rent the tenant is responsible for is considered in income calculations. (CA Civil Rights Department — Source of Income Protection)
- Combined household income may be used for all adults signing the lease.
- Income requirement applies only to the tenant’s portion of rent if using a voucher or subsidy. ([zillow.com](https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/resources/california-housing-providers-applicants-income-credit-history/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
2. Accepted Forms of Income
We accept all lawful, verifiable sources of income, including:
- Wages or salary
- Self-employment income (with tax returns/profit statements)
- Social Security, SSI, SSDI
- Child support and alimony
- Government benefits and rental subsidies
- Other lawful income sources recognized under FEHA
California law prohibits discrimination based on “source of income,” so applicants who rely on vouchers, public benefits, or other lawful sources must be evaluated fairly and consistently. (CA Civil Rights Department)
3. Income Verification Requirements
Applicants must supply documentation to verify income. Acceptable documentation includes pay stubs, employer letters, bank statements, benefit award letters, and tax returns for self-employment.
4. Credit & Collections Policy
Applicants with significant unpaid collections (excluding medical debt) may be denied, or may be required to provide a higher security deposit or an approved guarantor. This policy is applied uniformly to all applicants.
- Credit is evaluated based on payment history, outstanding debt, debt load, and overall credit profile.
- Medical collections are not considered in the screening process.
- For applicants using housing subsidies, landlords must consider alternative evidence of ability to pay before relying on credit history. (Zillow / CRD Guidance)
5. Co‑Applicants & Guarantors
- Combined household income may be used for all adults signing the lease.
- Guarantors may be allowed and must show verifiable income (e.g., 4× rent), and must sign a guaranty agreement.
6. Application Fees & Screening Process
Application screening fees are governed by California Civil Code §1950.6 and Assembly Bill 2493. A screening fee may only be charged if:
- A unit is available and intended to be rented. You may not charge a fee for units not currently available. (Cal. Civ. Code §1950.6/SB 681)
- The landlord provides written screening criteria, application form, and considers applications in the order received. ([dre.ca.gov](https://www.dre.ca.gov/publications/ResourceGuidebook/gb05_lookingfor.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
- The fee does not exceed the actual out-of-pocket screening cost (adjusted annually by CPI; ~$64.50 in 2025). (Application Fee Limits)
- If an applicant is not selected, the unused portion of the fee must be refunded within the required timeframe.
7. Fair Housing & Discrimination Compliance
We comply with federal and California fair housing laws, including protection against discrimination based on:
- Race, color, ancestry, national origin
- Sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation
- Familial status
- Disability, medical condition, age
- Source of income (including housing vouchers and public benefits) ([calcivilrights.ca.gov](https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/Housing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Income standards and screening criteria must be applied equally to all applicants, and lawful alternative evidence of ability to pay must be considered for applicants using subsidies before relying on credit history. ([zillow.com](https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/resources/california-housing-providers-applicants-income-credit-history/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))