Rental Qualification Standards & Requirements

Looking to rent a home in Woodstock, Kennesaw, or the surrounding North Metro Atlanta area? Review our rental qualification requirements to understand income, credit, rental history, move-in funds, and application expectations.

We currently do not have any rental homes available for showings. These standards are provided so prospective tenants can understand our process before a future property becomes available.

Quick Qualification Summary

These are the main qualification standards we generally review when a rental home becomes available.

Income

Combined gross monthly household income should be at least 2 times the monthly rent and must be verifiable.

Credit

A credit score of 600 or higher is recommended, subject to the overall application.

Rental History

Positive landlord references and responsible rental history are important.

Pets

No pets preferred. A small dog or cat may be considered on a case-by-case basis with prior approval.

Move-In Funds

Applicants must be able to pay required move-in funds, including security deposit and first month’s rent, before move-in.

Best Qualified Applicant

Properties are not rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are evaluated and compared, and tenancy may be offered to the most qualified applicant.

General Requirements

  • At this time, our properties are not participating in the Housing Choice Voucher / Section 8 program.
  • Each adult applicant age 18 or older must submit a separate application if selected to move forward.
  • Each adult applicant must be able to provide valid government-issued identification and a valid Social Security card if selected to move forward with the application and lease process.
  • All adult applicants must complete credit, background, income, and rental history screening.
  • All occupants must be disclosed and listed before approval.
  • Providing false, misleading, incomplete, or unverifiable information may result in denial or termination of tenancy.

Income Requirements

  • Combined gross monthly household income must be at least 2 times the monthly rent.
  • All income must come from verifiable sources.
  • Applicants may be required to provide pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, employment verification, or other proof of income.
  • Unverifiable income may not be considered.
  • Income that cannot be verified or documented may not be considered for qualification purposes.

Employment and Financial Stability

  • Applicants must demonstrate stable and consistent income.
  • Recent job changes, employment gaps, or self-employment may require additional documentation.
  • Credit history must show a pattern of financial responsibility.
  • Minimum recommended credit score: 600, subject to the overall strength of the application.
  • Preference may be given to applicants who are able to pay last month’s rent upfront or in installments during the first 4 months of the lease, if required based on the application.

Rental History

  • Applicants must provide verifiable rental history for the past 5 to 7 years, when available.
  • References from previous landlords must be positive.
  • Applicants may be asked whether their full security deposit was returned at prior residences.
  • Applications may be denied for prior evictions, unpaid balances to landlords, repeated late rent payments, lease violations, property damage, or negative landlord references.

Background Screening

  • A background check will be conducted on all applicants age 18 or older.
  • Applications are evaluated based on the overall pattern of responsibility, reliability, and potential risk to the property or community.
  • All background screening decisions will be made in compliance with applicable law.

Occupancy, Smoking, Pets and Vehicles

  • Occupancy is generally limited to 2 persons per bedroom, subject to reasonable allowances required by law.
  • All adults and children who will live at the property must be disclosed before approval.
  • This is a non-smoking property. Smoking is not permitted inside the home.
  • No pets preferred. A small dog or cat may be considered on a case-by-case basis with prior approval.
  • Approved pets may require an additional deposit and/or monthly pet rent.
  • Certain animals may be restricted based on size, number of animals, property suitability, insurance requirements, or behavioral history.
  • All vehicles parked at the property must be operable, properly registered, and in compliance with local rules.
  • Commercial vehicles, trailers, or recreational vehicles may require prior written approval.
  • Unauthorized occupants, vehicles, or animals may be considered a lease violation.

Lease Terms and Move-In Requirements

  • Minimum lease term: 12 months.
  • Applicants must be able to begin the lease within a reasonable timeframe after approval.
  • Security deposit and first month’s rent are required before move-in.
  • Additional deposit, last month’s rent, prepaid rent, or a qualified guarantor may be required depending on the overall application.
  • Preference may be given to otherwise qualified applicants who are able to pay last month’s rent upfront or in installments during the first 4 months of the lease, if required based on the application.

Documents Applicants May Be Asked to Provide

  • Valid government-issued photo ID
  • Valid Social Security card
  • Recent pay stubs or income verification
  • Tax returns or business income documentation for self-employed applicants
  • Bank statements or other proof of available move-in funds, if requested
  • Additional verification documents if needed to complete the application review
  • Failure to provide requested documentation may result in delays or denial of the application.

How the Rental Process Works

Our process is designed to respect your time while helping us select the best-qualified applicant when a property becomes available.

1. Review Availability

Check the website for current or upcoming rental availability.

2. Review Requirements

Review the rental requirements, move-in expectations, and basic qualification standards.

3. Apply & Screen

Selected prospects may complete the full rental application, credit check, background check, and verification process.

4. Final Selection

The most qualified applicant is selected based on the full application and verification results.

Application and Screening Process

  • Initial contact, viewing requests, or general questions do not guarantee a showing, approval, or lease agreement.
  • A third-party screening service such as MySmartMove by TransUnion may be used for credit and background screening.
  • Application fees, if applicable, are non-refundable.
  • Approval is based on the overall strength of the application, not one single factor alone.
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee approval and does not create a lease agreement.
  • Properties are not rented on a first-come, first-served basis. We select the best-qualified applicant based on income, credit, rental history, background screening, move-in readiness, and overall application strength.

Equal Housing Statement

All applications are evaluated in accordance with applicable fair housing laws. Qualification standards are applied consistently to all applicants.

Selection Criteria

In the event of multiple qualified applicants, tenancy may be offered to the most qualified applicant based on income, credit, rental history, background screening, move-in readiness, available move-in funds, and overall application strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about our rental qualification standards and application process.

What are the rental qualification standards?

Applicants are evaluated based on income, credit, rental history, background screening, occupancy, move-in funds, and overall application strength.

What income is required to rent a house?

Most applicants should have a combined gross monthly income of at least 2 times the rent, with all income coming from verifiable sources.

What credit score do I need to qualify?

A credit score of 600 or higher is recommended, but approval depends on the overall application, not just the score.

Do all adults need to apply for the rental?

Yes. Every adult age 18 or older who will live in the property must submit a separate application and complete screening if selected to move forward.

How far back do you check rental history?

We typically review rental history for the past 5 to 7 years, including landlord references, payment history, and lease compliance.

Can I qualify if I have no rental history?

Applicants without rental history may still be considered but may need stronger income, higher deposits, prepaid rent, or a qualified co-signer.

Can I be approved if I do not meet all requirements?

In some cases, applicants who do not fully meet all requirements may still be considered with compensating factors such as higher deposits, prepaid rent, last month’s rent, or a qualified guarantor.

Are pets allowed in rental properties?

No pets preferred. A small dog or cat may be considered on a case-by-case basis with prior approval. Approved pets may require an additional deposit and/or monthly pet rent.

Do you allow smoking in the property?

No. Our properties are non-smoking. Smoking is not permitted inside the home.

What background checks are performed?

We may use a third-party service to conduct credit, criminal, background, rental history, income, and identity screening for applicants age 18 and older.

Does contacting GAHomeRent guarantee approval?

No. Contacting us, asking a question, or submitting information does not guarantee a showing, approval, or lease agreement.

How long does the review process take?

Review timing can vary depending on demand, document completeness, screening results, and landlord reference response times.

How do I stay updated about availability?

Please check the website for rental availability updates. Property-specific information will be posted when a home is ready for showings.

Review Requirements Before Applying

Rental availability and property details will be posted on the website when a home is ready for showings.