There are some new tenant screening regulations for Arcadia landlords in 2025, and it’s important that you don’t fall into the legal pitfalls that are waiting for property owners who might think they can collect several applications, screen them, and then pick the applicant they like best.
We’re sharing this brief and updated guide to screening tenants in 2025. We’ll touch on the new law around applications and then provide some reminders on how to screen effectively to find the best resident for your property.
Rental Applications and Arcadia Tenant Screening
The strength of your screening process depends on a good application. First, let’s talk about the laws around application fees:
- If you do charge an application fee, it can only cover the background and credit check costs. The limit in California is currently $63.70, as of 2024. This fee is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
- When you collect that fee, you are then required to screen applications in the order in which they are received, and then accept the first tenant who meets your screening criteria.
Outside of those legal requirements, make sure your written application collects information including:
- Full legal names
- Contact information
- Social security and driver’s license numbers
- Current and past addresses
- Employment information
- Landlord references
Your application must also require a signature that will provide you with permission to conduct a background check and a credit check on your prospective tenant.
Establish Standard Rental Qualifying Criteria
Establish a set of standards that must be met before a tenant can be approved to rent your property. This will allow you to further screen potential tenants before they even turn in an application. Be specific. For example, you may want tenants who earn at least three times the rental amount. Perhaps there’s a minimum credit score you’ll consider. Or, you won’t accept any evictions in the last 10 years.
Having a documented set of criteria will protect you against any potentially expensive fair housing mistakes. Your criteria demonstrates the objective standards that every applicant must meet. And once you have an application that meets these standards, you essentially have found your tenant.
What to Include in Your Rental Criteria
Once you have a completed application that’s signed, you will want to run complete background, credit, and criminal checks. The specific things you’re looking for are:
- Income and employment
- Credit and financial stability
- Eviction history
- Landlord references and rental history
Renting to well-qualified tenants will result in less risk for eviction, property damage, late rent payments, and lease violations.
When your applicants understand what you’re looking for, you have a good chance of finding highly qualified residents who can be counted on to pay rent, take care of your property, and follow the terms of the lease agreement.
A good screening process is not only rigorous but also fair, objective, and compliant with all of California’s strict laws and tenant protections. Don’t wade into tenant screening without the help of an Arcadia property manager. Contact us at ZenPro Property Management for support and resources.
