Renter’s Application Overview

Learn Everything You Need to Know About Renting with Good Life Property Management

Minimum Qualifications

Reasons to be Declined

Income less than 2.5x monthly rent
Credit below 625
Less than 75.0% of accounts are in good standing
Any eviction judgments within the last 7 years
Non-discharged bankruptcies
We do not allow pets less than 4 months old, and we cannot rent to aggressive breeds.
Negative Landlord Reference
Move in dates too far in future
NOTE: We do not process incomplete applications. Please make sure your application includes all necessary materials prior to submitting.

Application Screening Criteria

Required Information

Proof of Lawful Verifiable Income
Copy of government-issued ID
Rental reference information of previous 3 years
Dependent information (optional)
Co-applicants: All other occupants above the age of 18 must submit their own separate application (optional)
Service Animal information (must be screened through PetScreening – $20 fee per animal. Refundable after verified)
Emotional Support Animal information (must be screened through PetScreening – $20 fee per animal. Refundable after verified)
Pet information (does not go through PetScreening.
Have a photo of your pet ready
Dogs only – Proof of breed, age, and weight (examples include a pet license or vet documentation)

How to Apply For a Property

Where to find the Application

On our properties list page, find your property of interest, then select the ‘Submit an Application’ button in blue text.

Co-Applicants

Everyone over the age of 18 living in the home MUST apply. Therefore, to help prevent delays, please make sure all your co-applicants complete the application as well.

Income Verification

Make sure the income listed on your application matches the employer information listed. For example, you cannot list McDonalds as your employer on your application, but provide pay stubs from Burger King.

Move-in Funds

Your move-in funds (your first month’s rent and security deposit) are required within 24 hours of approval of your application.

Property Comes As-is

Please note that all of our properties come as-is. That means we do not provide cosmetic alterations or improvements to the property upon request (e.g. cosmetic wall painting, blinds installation, etc).

Cosigners & Guarantors Policies

Not Accepted

We do not allow cosigners or guarantors. Therefore, if you do not meet our standard application criteria, you will be denied.

Service Animals & ESAs

Required Documentation

If you have a service animal, or assistance animal, please complete a screening application by visiting https://goodlife.petscreening.com (there is a $20 application fee that is refunded once the status of the assistance animal has been confirmed). If you do not submit an ESA profile, your application will be considered incomplete and will possibly be subordinated to other completed applications.

Pet Policies

Dogs: If the property allows dogs, and you are applying with a dog, please include a recent photo of the dog along with documentation of the dog’s date of birth (WE DO NOT ACCEPT DOGS UNDER 4 MONTHS OLD). Acceptable documentation can include immunization records or adoption papers. Please note: Property may require a pet rent or a pet deposit. Please verify pet terms and policy prior to submitting an application.

Cats: If the property allows cats, and you are applying with a cat, please include 1) Cats Name 2) Cats breed 3) Cats Weight 4) Cats Age 5) recent photo of the cat. Please note: Property may require a pet rent or a pet deposit. Please verify pet terms and policy prior to submitting an application.

Approved Application

If approved, we require the security deposit and first month’s rent to be paid in full upon signing the lease. Applicants lease start date is a determining factor. The lease start date must be within 14 days from the date the property is available. Please check the available date listed on the advertisement. If conditionally approved, you may be offered the rental with an increased deposit.

Prospective Tenants

Do you accept co-signers?

No, we do not accept co-signers.

Do you have any properties coming up in __________________?

We get multiple new properties all over San Diego each week. Please check our website from time to time and if you see something you like, let us know!

Do you take section 8?

Yes, we do accept section 8 as a form of income.

I have bad credit, what is your screening process?

Our screening criteria is listed on our website under the available properties tab. We ask all applicants to please review our application process online. There are a lot of factors involved, so it is best if you read it over yourself.

I don’t want to pay the screening fee and be denied. Can you assure me that I will be approved?

Please review our screening criteria on our website. If you feel you meet all our requirements, please apply.

How does your application process work? Is it first come first serve?

We process all applications using a qualified scoring sheet, which can be found on our website. In turn, we select the best tenant. Only fully completed application packages will be processed. An incomplete application package will not be processed.

My spouse does not work; does he/she need to apply too?

Every adult living at the property must complete an application.

I recently had my credit pulled. Can you use my report?

Unfortunately we cannot use outside reports. Our report runs a criminal and eviction check as well as a credit check.

Can I put down a holding deposit?

We do not accept holding deposits.

I want to make sure I get this place. What do I need to do?

Please view the property ASAP. After you have seen the property, apply online via our website. Make sure you follow all the application instructions. If you follow the application instructions, you will have the best chance of being approved for the property.

Do I have to see the property to be approved?

We strongly encourage you to view the unit. If you have not seen the unit, your application may be subordinated to other applicants who have seen the unit.

Do your properties accept pets?

Most of our properties accept pets with additional pet rent. Please refer to the marketing advertisement for the property you are interested in regarding the pet information, restrictions, and pet rent or deposits associated with the property.

If you have a dog or an ESA, you will submit a Pet Screening profile. This is a third party company that Good Life uses to screen pets. There is a $20 screening fee that goes to directly to Pet Screening. If your animal is an Emotional Support Animal or service animal and is verified, you will be refunded the $20 and will not be charged a pet rent.

How do I know when properties become available?

We post all of our rentals to Zillow. We recommend setting up notifications through Zillow when new properties are listed that meet your selected criteria.

Good Life Blogs

We believe that education is empowering.

Rent Like a Pro: How to Make Your Rental Application Stand Out

These tips will help you rental application stand out to landlords and increase your chances of getting approved for your desired property.

Tips for Tenants: How to Take Care of Your Rental

Taking care of your rental property is best for you and the landlord. These tips will help make your time in the property easier and they’ll save you money.

What to Do When Your Rental is Put Up for Sale

Tenants often aren’t sure what to do when their rental home is put up for sale. We go over what this means for you and how to make the process easier.