Application Requirements

• Please do not submit an application until you have toured the unit, either in person or virtually. Applications submitted prior to a tour with the Leasing Liaison will be canceled, and the screening fee will be refunded.
• Each adult (18+) must complete a separate application.
•  All supporting documents must be submitted within three business days.
•  Positive references from all verified past landlords are required. A single negative reference may result in denial, regardless of other qualifications.
• When multiple qualified applicants are being considered for the same unit, preference may be given to the applicant whose requested move-in date most closely aligns with the unit’s advertised availability. This ensures a smooth transition between the residents and allows the lease to begin when the unit is ready for occupancy. 

Identification

All applicants must provide a valid, government-issued photo ID.

If the identification is in card format (e.g., driver’s license or state-issued ID), clear, color images of both the front and back must be provided.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Driver’s license
• State-issued identification card
• Passport

For international applicants:

• Valid passport
• Entry visa (if applicable)
• Any relevant immigration documentation (e.g., I-20, DS-2019, H-1B)

Images must be clear, legible, and unobstructed. Photographs taken with a smartphone are acceptable. Applicants who have difficulty capturing clear images with a computer webcam are encouraged to use a mobile phone or a free document scanning app.

Credit Requirement

Minimum credit score (VantageScore 3.0): 720

Applicants with a VantageScore 3.0 below the published minimum may be considered on a case-by-case basis if the application otherwise demonstrates strong financial responsibility. Additional documentation may be requested to support the application, such as evidence of timely rent payments, liquid assets, or other documentation demonstrating the applicant’s ability and willingness to meet their financial obligations.

Applicants without an established U.S. credit history may still qualify if financial responsibility is supported by alternative documentation, such as:

• Enrollment or acceptance letter
• Employment offer letter
• Bank statements (U.S. or foreign)
• Scholarship or financial aid award letters
• A qualified guarantor (see below)
• Documentation of liquid assets equivalent to at least three (3) times the annual rent

Applications will be denied if:

• Bankruptcy occurred within the last three (3) years.
• Unpaid tax liens or unresolved non-medical collections are present.

Applicants Without U.S. Credit or Income History

Applicants who do not have a traditional U.S. credit profile, including international renters, students, and recent graduates, may still qualify by submitting a combination of:

• Enrollment or acceptance letter
• Employment offer letter
• Bank statements (U.S. or foreign)
• Scholarship or financial aid award letters
• A qualified guarantor (see below)
• Documentation of liquidity equivalent to 3x annual rent

Because the online application address fields are primarily formatted for U.S.-based addresses, we offer the following guidance for international applicants:

• Enter the street address in the first address field
• Enter your country’s equivalent of a state or province in the second address field
• Leave the U.S. State/Province dropdown unselected
• Complete the city, postal code, and country fields as normal

Guarantor Policy

A guarantor may be considered when an applicant has limited credit or income history. A guarantor is not accepted in cases involving poor credit, unresolved debt, or negative housing history.

Guarantor qualifications:

• Must reside in the U.S. (California preferred)
• Minimum credit score: 750, or otherwise demonstrates exceptional creditworthiness based on the totality of the credit profile
• Must show either:
– Income ≥ 3x their own housing + applicant’s rent share
– OR liquid assets ≥ 3x combined annual rent
• Must complete a separate screening process and provide supporting documentation

Rental History

Applicants should provide up to four years of rental history. Landlord references must be positive. A single negative reference may result in denial.

If no rental history exists, alternative documentation may be accepted at the owner’s discretion.

Income Requirement

All applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to meet rent obligations.

• Minimum income: Combined gross monthly income must be at least 3 times the monthly rent, or

• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: No higher than 40%, based on verified income and recurring monthly debt obligations.

Verification may include pay stubs, W-2s, tax returns, or other reliable documentation of lawful earnings.
Applicants using housing subsidies will have the subsidy amount counted toward the income requirement. 

 

Source of Income

We welcome all lawful sources of income, including wages, self-employment earnings, housing subsidies (e.g., Section 8), financial aid, family support, disability benefits, and student stipends.

Voucher holders will be given a reasonable time to provide the required documentation.

When calculating rent-to-income ratios, verified housing subsidies are treated as part of the applicant’s income contribution.

We do not discriminate based on source of income, in accordance with California and local fair housing laws.

Examples of acceptable income documentation include:
Pay stubs, W-2s, 1099s, recent tax returns, bank statements, Social Security or disability award letters, housing subsidy documentation (e.g., Section 8 vouchers or payment standards), and financial aid or scholarship award letters.

Lease Offer and Finalization

Approved applicants will receive a lease offer and have 48 hours to accept it.

If not accepted within that time, the unit may be offered to another qualified applicant.

Leases not signed within 24 hours may be subject to cancellation

After signing the lease, applicants will receive an invitation to join the Resident Portal.

The security deposit must be paid within 24 hours of receiving the invitation; otherwise, the lease may be cancelled.

Application Reuse

If a qualified applicant is not selected for a specific unit, their application may be reused to apply for another available Shaw Properties unit within 90 days, provided that all documentation remains current.