Applicant FAQs

Every completed application is reviewed against written screening criteria for that property. We apply those criteria the same way to every applicant for that property.

Who Applies

• Each person 18 or older who will live in the home must complete an application.
• Minors may reside in the household. Children under 18 do not submit a rental application. Familial status (households with children) is protected under federal and California law.

Source of Income — This Is a Main Qualification, Not a Special Program

• We consider all lawful sources of income. That includes wages, self-employment, Social Security, SSI/SSDI, unemployment, child support, and government rental assistance such as a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) or other subsidy.
• We do not refuse an application because you use a voucher. You do not need to email leasing before you apply.
• When a voucher or other subsidy will pay part of the rent, we evaluate whether your share of the rent, plus other lawful income, meets the income standard for that property. We do not treat the subsidy as if it were missing.

Income Documentation (Examples)

• Paystubs showing recent income, or
• For self-employment: two prior years of tax returns including Schedule C, and the last six months of bank statements, or
• Other documents that show a lawful source of income (award letters, voucher / HAP paperwork, etc.)

Credit and Rental History — No Blanket Bans

• We may review credit and rental history.
• We do not use a blanket rule that any judgment, collection, eviction, or late payment is an automatic denial.
• If something on a report concerns us, we consider the facts: what happened, how long ago, how it relates to tenancy, and any explanation you include with the application.

Criminal History — California Limits Apply

• We do not refuse to rent to “anyone with a criminal record.”
• We do not consider arrests that did not lead to a conviction, sealed or expunged records, or juvenile records.
• If a conviction is considered, it is an individualized review of the nature and severity of the conduct, how much time has passed, and whether it is directly related to being a resident or to the health and safety of other people or the property.

Fair Housing

We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, source of income, veteran or military status, genetic information, age, medical condition, citizenship, immigration status, primary language, criminal history as protected by California law, or any other characteristic protected by federal or California law. See our Fair Housing commitment.

Income-Restricted Properties

Affordable / LIHTC communities have extra program rules (income limits, student status, and sometimes age for qualified senior housing). Those rules are applied property by property. See Affordable Housing .

We start screening when the application is complete, the supporting documents are attached, and — when a fee is allowed — the screening fee is paid. Incomplete files wait.

From each person 18 or older who will live in the home:

• All sections of the Application completed
• A copy of government-issued photo identification (any government photo ID; a driver’s license or passport is fine, but not required — a state ID, military ID, or other government photo ID is accepted)
• roof of income / lawful source of income
• Application screening fee, only if a unit is available or will be available within a reasonable time (see the fee question below)

You may include a written explanation of credit, income, rental history, or other circumstances with the application.

Use Apply Now on the listing for the home you want. Have your documents ready to upload. You may apply if you use a voucher; do not wait for a pre-approval email from leasing.

When a fee is allowed, it is typically paid online (ACH, debit, or credit). You may also bring a money order to our office. We do not accept cash or a personal check for this fee.

Sometimes. A co-signer is an extra person who applies and, if approved, signs. A co-signer is not a way around credit or rental history that does not meet the written criteria.

There is no California-residency rule for co-signers. A co-signer does not have to live in California.

All co-signers:

• Complete an application and pay the screening fee when a fee is allowed
• Show verifiable lawful income sufficient for their own housing and the rent on this application
• Are not used to overcome negative credit or rental history that does not meet the written criteria

Income-restricted (LIHTC / affordable) properties

Program rules may limit or prohibit co-signers, or treat household members differently from guarantors. Ask with the application for that property. We will not use a co-signer to evade income or student rules.

Pets (animals kept as pets, not as a disability accommodation) are handled property by property:

• Market-rate homes: See that listing for whether pets are allowed, number limits, and any pet rent or deposit. Owner-insurance rules may apply on market-rate property only.
• LIHTC / tax-credit homes: California law requires these communities to allow common household pets. We do not impose a breed ban, a weight limit, or monthly pet rent on LIHTC property (Health & Safety Code § 50466; 4 CCR § 10336). A refundable deposit may apply within Civil Code § 1950.5. Reasonable conditions (leash, nuisance, number of animals by unit size, and individually determined dangerous/vicious dogs under state law) may still apply.

Assistance animals are not pets.

Service animals and support (emotional support) animals are a disability accommodation. They are not subject to pet rent, pet deposits, pet fees, or pet breed, size, or weight limits. You do not need to call them a “pet,” and you do not need a special “pet application” to request one.

If the disability-related need is not obvious, we may ask for limited information — not a diagnosis. Request an assistance animal with your application or at any time by emailing leasing@gcmanagementgroup.com or info@gcmanagementgroup.com.

There is no guaranteed clock. It depends on how quickly landlords and income sources respond. Many files finish in about two to three business days. If we cannot reach a reference, we will tell you.

Give a daytime phone number for current and prior landlords, and let them know we may call. Use a number you answer. A slow callback can pause the file.

We contact you if we need more information, and when the application is approved or denied. If you have not heard from us within three business days, email leasing@gcmanagementgroup.com.

Put a short written explanation in with the application. We read it as part of an individualized review. We do not use a blanket “any judgment” or “any eviction” denial.

No. The deposit to hold is due in full by cashier’s check or money order when the Offer to Rent is signed.

Leases are typically a 12-month term, then month-to-month, unless something else is noted or agreed in writing before the Offer to Rent. Income-restricted properties may have program lease terms that differ — those are explained with that lease.

See the listing for that property. Transfer the utilities you are responsible for into your name by the lease-signing date. Keys are not issued until that transfer is confirmed.

Signing is usually electronic. We can meet at 1330 West St., Suite A, Redding, CA 96001 if you prefer. Review and signing usually take no more than 30 minutes. Bring a money order or cashier’s check for first month’s rent and any other amounts then due. Every person 18 or older on the lease must sign. Keys are not released until everyone has signed, required payments are received, and utility transfers are confirmed.

Minors who will live in the home are listed as household members as required; they do not sign as residents.

Yes. Housing Choice Vouchers and other lawful rental assistance are a source of income. That is a protected characteristic under California law.

Apply through Apply Now on the listing. You do not need to contact leasing before you apply. If you have voucher paperwork, upload it with the application. We complete program forms and inspections the subsidy requires.

When we review income, we look at your portion of the rent, not the assistance payment as if it were missing.

Email leasing@gcmanagementgroup.com or info@gcmanagementgroup.com, call (530) 338-3340, or tell us in person. You do not have to use the words “reasonable accommodation.”