Prospective Resident FAQs

Answers to your frequently asked questions

eLAvate is committed to abiding by California and Federal fair housing laws and encourages anyone and everyone interested in our available rentals to apply. eLAvate does not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability (mental or physical), sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, familial status and source of income.

Disclosure:

Every effort is made to provide applicants with reliable and accurate information regarding the rental you are applying for. However, changes can and do take place to cause inaccurate information to be inadvertently presented. eLAvate encourages all applicants to verify schools, allowable pets, expected features, or any and all concerns prior to signing a lease agreement. Any information posted on the advertisement does NOT constitute a written agreement or guarantee of the facts stated.

If any applicant makes any derogatory or offensive comments in any way shape or form either verbally or written, and/or act in a threatening, combative, intoxicated or disorderly manner, during any phase of the application process and lease process the application may be denied. This also applies if the lease has been signed and applicants have not yet taken possession of the rental.

• How do I become a tenant?

  If you are interested in one of our rentals, the first step is for all applicants 18 years of age or older who want to occupy the rental to complete an online application and follow the steps outlined in the application. The approval process is based on income, credit, eviction, criminal background and previous rental history. Once your application has been approved in writing, you will be asked to pay a first month’s rent non refundable holding fee to secure the rental for you and all occupants 18 years of age and older will be required to sign a lease. The rental will not be reserved for you until a first month’s rent non refundable holding fee is paid. Please read the lease and any attached documents very carefully as they are legally binding. If you violate the lease in any way you may end up losing the right to live in our rental. Rent collections are strictly enforced, as are noise rules and pet policies. If you plan to get a pet, be sure you find out whether or not a pet will be allowed before signing the lease. If there is anything in the lease, House Rules, or in the rental itself, with which you may have issues with, be sure to discuss this with us before you move in.

• How much do you charge for rental applications?

  $50.00 per rental application. All applicants 18 years of age or older must complete a separate rental application. All rental application fees are non refundable.

• Do you prescreen applicants?

  We do not prescreen applicants. Applicants are encouraged to prescreen themselves. We encourage anyone and everyone to apply if you meet the criteria. All prospective residents over the age of 18 must complete a separate rental application and pay the non-refundable application fee. It would be in your best interest to confirm that your rental requirements are not outside of our criteria with roommates/multiple occupants, eviction history, credit history,, criminal background history, bankruptcies, income requirements, credit scores, unusual/large pets, multiple pets, or anything that would cause your application to be denied.

• What do you base application approval on?

  Application approval is based on the following:

  • Credit History: The credit report plays an important role in determining approval. Applications may be declined or require increased security deposits, per the legally allowed limit, and/or a co-signer, depending on applicants’ credit score & credit history, if the applicant has a history of paying creditors late, accounts have been referred to a collection agency and/or if creditors have closed accounts or charged them off because of non-payment and recent discharged or non-discharged bankruptcies.
  • Income Stability: We seek applicants with stable income. Current employment will be verified. Self-employed applicants must provide two years' recent personal tax returns and all pages of three most recent personal bank statements.
  • Sufficient Income: Monthly income should be sufficient to pay the rent. Applicants will need to submit proof of income (pay stubs, personal tax returns and personal bank statements) to show applicants’ monthly income meets the income requirement.
  • Previous Rental History: Verifiable rental history from the owner or property manager from your current and previous landlords is required.
  • Evictions: If you have an eviction in the last five years, your application is more likely to be declined. We will seek current/previous rental verification. If previous rental history is unable to be obtained, your application may be declined or your security deposit may be increased per the legally allowed limit.
  • Criminal Background: Criminal background checks are conducted for all applicants.

• What documents are required to be submitted & uploaded with every application?

  The following documentation is required to be submitted for all applicants 18 years of age or older as well as all co-signers. The application processing will be delayed if information/documents is missing. If there are multiple applications within the same group for a unit, applications will be processed once all required information/documentation is submitted for the entire group of applications.

  • Current/valid government issued photo identification
  • If you are employed; complete copies of your 3 most recent pay stubs. Partial screenshots will not be accepted. 3 most recent consecutive personal bank statements, all pages even if blank, may be required to document income if your pay stubs do not show the required income.
  • If you are self-employed, all pages of your two years most recent PERSONAL tax returns (and relevant supporting documentation such as K-1’s) and all pages of your three most recent PERSONAL bank statements (business bank statements will NOT be accepted). Partial screenshots will not be accepted. Business tax returns and business bank statements will not be accepted, only PERSONAL tax returns and PERSONAL bank statements will be accepted.

  All required/relevant rental application documents must be uploaded with your online rental application or it will delay the application processing time.

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

  The application processing time can take up to two (2) to three (3) full business days once a fully completed application (including rental & employment verifications are received), with all the required information/documentation, is submitted, for all applications for the unit/group of applicants.  This also applies if there are multiple applications within the same group for a unit. Processing times will be delayed due to not receiving rental verifications from current/prior landlord, employment verifications and any and all other required documentation.

• What will lead to an automatic decline of my rental application?

  Unpaid balances due to landlords, evictions within the previous 5 years, violent felony convictions in the prior 7 years. (convictions for the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs no matter how long since the conviction), large unpaid balances, either in collection and/or charged off, to utility service providers, phone carriers, credit/charge cards and any other creditor over the past 24 months, unsatisfactory/negative references, bankruptcies within the prior 7 years (whether discharged or not).

• What will lead to an automatic decline of my rental application if I don’t have a co-signer?

  A credit score below 600 and insufficient income.

• Will you refuse to rent to me because of my ethnic background?

  We strictly follow California and Federal Fair Housing guidelines and never discriminate based on racial or ethnic background, religious beliefs, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age or all other categories specified in the California and Federal Fair Housing guidelines. We welcome anyone and everyone interested in our rentals to apply.

• Do you accept co-signers?

  Yes, we accept local co-signers.. If your and/or your co-applicants credit is less than good and/or income is insufficient, we may require a local co-signer (a co-signer refers to a financially responsible party for the entire unit that signs the lease). Co-signers must complete a separate rental application (indicating they are applying as a co-signer/guarantor for the rental/applicant and will not be occupying the rental) and submit the same required documentation just as an applicant would. Co-signers are financially responsible for the entire unit and not individual renters if there are multiple occupants. Co-signers must have very good to excellent credit and credit history, sufficient income, good references, no evictions, no unpaid balances to landlords and no bankruptcies (whether discharged or not). Co-signers will be required to sign the lease agreement.

• What other fees do I need to pay?

  We charge a $150.00 non-refundable lease processing administrative fee for all new leases. This covers our cost for providing the service of preparing your online lease agreement for the convenience of electronic signature and setup in our system.

• How will I be notified if my rental application is approved?

  All applicants (and applicable co-signers) will receive an email notification of your approval and the requirements/conditions of your approval. The first months rent non-refundable holding fee and non-refundable lease processing administrative fee will be required to be paid within 48 hours of receiving your approval. After the approval email is received, a payment link will be emailed separately to all approved applicants and applicable co-signers to submit online payment. Payment may be submitted online via electronic check (free of charge) or debit/credit card (fees apply) depending on the amount, so long as there are five (5) full business days, excluding legal holidays, for the funds to clear prior to move-in or it can be paid via certified funds (cashier’s check or money orders). Should payment not be submitted within forty eight (48) calendar hours of approval, we will move on to the next (approved) applicant. Once payment is submitted within forty eight (48) calendar hours, we will remove the rental listing from the market and the rental will be secured for you. The non-refundable first months rent holding fee will be credited towards your first month’s rent. After payment is submitted, all applicants and/or co-signers will need to electronically sign the lease agreement within seventy two (72) calendar hours of receiving the lease electronically. If the lease agreement is not signed by all applicants and/or co-signers within seventy two (72) calendar hours, the holding fee may be forfeited and your position to rent the rental may be forfeited as well.

• How do I hold the rental for me after I’m approved?

  Approved applicants are required to submit a NON-REFUNDABLE holding fee equal to a minimum of one month’s rent and a non-refundable lease processing fee in order to secure the rental and remove the unit from the market. This can be paid online, free of charge, from your checking or savings account. Credit and debit card payments are also accepted where a fee applies. Online payments are accepted so long as there are five (5) full business days before move in for the funds to clear the bank. This non-refundable holding fee equal to a minimum of one month’s rent will be credited towards the first month’s rent and the overall move-in costs. Approved applicants who pay the required non-refundable holding fee equal to a minimum of one month’s rent and decide they no longer want to rent the rental before signing a lease, will only receive a refund (either full or prorated amount) if we rent the rental to another approved applicant (otherwise, it will be forfeited as liquidated damages). For example; if an approved applicant who pays the holding fee on the 15th of the month for a move-in date of the 1st of the following month decides to back out, that approved applicant will receive a full refund only if we rent the rental to another approved applicant with the same move in date. If the new applicant’s move-in date is the 15th of the following month (and not the 1st), the approved applicant who backs out will receive a prorated refund and not the full amount. If the new applicant’s move in date is on the 1st of the following month (the 2nd month after), the approved applicant who backs out will not receive a refund and the entire holding fee will be forfeited as liquidated damages. (If the holding fee was paid electronically and not certified funds, any refunds, if applicable, will only be issued after five (5) full business days, excluding legal holidays, in order to ensure funds have cleared).

• How will the lease be signed?

  The lease will be signed electronically through your online resident portal.

• How long can I hold a rental for?

  If the rental you are applying for is move-in or nearly move-in ready, your lease/rent start date must generally be no later than two (2) weeks, 14 days, from the date your application was submitted. We reserve the right to not hold a rental for more than two (2) weeks, 14 days, if the unit is move-in ready or nearly move-in ready.

• What if there are multiple applications for the same rental?

  If there are multiple applications for the same rental (different applicants applying that are not in the same party), we will process fully completed applications first and will either approve or disapprove each applicant or set of applicants. The first applicant, or set of applicants, who is/are approved and pays the required first months rent non-refundable holding fee and non refundable lease processing administrative fee will secure the unit. We will not process applications if all required documents, for all applications, are not received. If another application, or set of applications, is/are submitted with all the required documents, we will process that application, or set of applications, first.

• Why am I being asked to pay a “SCEP” fee?

  If you are applying for a rental within the city of Los Angeles, there may be a $2.83 monthly charge (in addition to the rent and any other monthly charges) for the Los Angeles Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP). The SCEP fee is $67.94 annually paid by the landlord. A landlord may pass through 50% of the annual SCEP fee per rental unit as a monthly surcharge of $2.83, provided that the landlord has paid the annual SCEP fee to the housing & community investment department of Los Angeles (HCIDLA). This is subject to change based on any changes made by HCIDLA.

• What if I have a pet and/or an assistance/service/companion animal?

  If the rental you are applying for accepts pets (check the rental listing), you must complete a pet profile & pet screening application for each pet and/or assistance/service/companion animal by visiting the following link: https://elavate.petscreening.com/. This applies for assistance/service/companion animals as well. The pet application fee is $20.00 for the first pet, $15.00 for the second pet and $0.00 (no charge) for any assistance/service/companion animals. This is a third-party pet & assistance/service/companion animal screening tool where petscreenings’ attorney will independently verify assistance/service/companion animal documentation directly with the medical provider. If the rental you are applying for accepts pets, there may be an additional security deposit and/or additional monthly pet rent per the rental listing. The additional deposit and/or monthly pet rent does not apply for assistance/service/companion animals.

  Property insurance companies do not allow certain breeds of dogs, either purebred or mixed. Therefore, dogs fully or partially of the following breeds are more than likely to be rejected: Akita, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Mastiff, Chow, Doberman, German Shepherd, Husky, Presa Canario, Pit Bull, Siberian Husky, Staffordshire Terrier, “Wolf Dog”, Bull Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler and any combination of these.

  Farm animals, members of the weasel family (ferrets etc.), rodents and reptiles are not allowed.

  Fish tanks or aquariums must not be more than 10 gallons.

• What if I enter incorrect information on my original online rental application and you have to re-process my rental application?

  If we have to re-process your rental application due to incorrect information you provided on your original online rental application, such as an incorrect date of birth or social security number, you will be required to submit a new online rental application and must pay the rental application fee again or we may correct your information on your original online rental application and request you pay an additional rental application fee.

• Do you report my on time rent payments to credit bureaus?

  We participate in the RentBureau program provided by Experian. Experian incorporates on-time rental payment data reported to Experian RentBureau into Experian credit reports. Rental payment information will be included as part of your standard credit report and may be incorporated into certain credit scores. The inclusion of positive rental payment history within Experian credit reports allows you to establish or build credit history through timely rental payments. Late payments are reported to the RentBureau program as well and may negatively impact your credit score and credit history. Please visit http://www.experian.com/rentbureau/rental-payment.html for additional information.

• Do you require renters insurance?

  We require a Resident Benefits Package with all lease agreements. This required package includes renters insurance for all named renters as well as payment & services benefit for an additional monthly rent charge. We hold a master renter’s insurance policy where all named renters are endorsed as additional insured on the policy. This prevents you and all other named renters from the trouble of having to purchase and maintain a renter’s insurance policy. Policy limits and coverage is as follows: $100,000 liability limit for resident caused accidental property damage, $30,000 resident personal contents limit, $3,000 medical expense limit and $3,000 additional living expense limit (hotel stay etc.). The policy is subject to a $500 deductible paid by the resident. These policy limits and coverage is subject to change. The Resident Benefits Package will be billed as one charge as additional rent on a monthly basis. The charge for the Resident Benefits Package as additional rent is $40.00 per month and is subject to change.

  Disclosure:

  Every effort is made to provide applicants with reliable and accurate information regarding the unit/home you are applying for. However, changes can and do take place to cause inaccurate information to be inadvertently presented. eLAvate encourages all applicants to verify schools, allowable pets, expected features, or any and all concerns prior to signing a lease agreement. Any information posted on the advertisement does NOT constitute a written agreement or guarantee of the facts stated.

  If any applicant makes any derogatory or offensive comments in any way shape or form either verbally or written, and/or act in a threatening, combative, intoxicated or disorderly manner, during any phase of the application process and lease process the application may be denied. This also applies if the lease has been signed and applicants have not yet taken possession of the home/unit.