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For Tenants

Application Process

Fair, thorough screening to find quality tenants for San Diego rentals.

How to Apply

Our Application Process

We've made applying for a rental as straightforward as possible.

Find a Property

Browse our available rentals and schedule a showing.

Submit Your Application

Complete the online application. Each adult (18+) needs to apply separately. Application fee is $45 per person.

Screening

We run background checks, credit reports, employment verification, and rental history verification.

Approval & Lease Signing

Once approved, we'll send the lease for electronic signature and coordinate your move-in date.

Application Requirements

Valid government-issued photo ID

Proof of income (2.5x monthly rent minimum)

Credit score of 620 or higher

No eviction history

Positive rental references

View Available Rentals

For applicants

How to apply for a Best Nest rental

What we look for, and how to put your strongest application forward.

A clear application process.

We review every application against the same screening criteria. When you find a home you want, apply with everything ready, since only complete applications can be processed. Have your documents together and you make it easy for us to give yours a full review.

Every applicant is evaluated using the same criteria, so everyone gets a fair and consistent review. We follow all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws.

Read this page all the way through before you apply. Every requirement is listed here, only complete applications can be processed, and the application button is at the bottom of the page when you are ready.

Find your property

Visit our listings page and select the property you are interested in.

Review the screening criteria

You are reading them below. Make sure you meet the qualifications before you apply.

Gather your documents

Have your ID, income verification, and rental history ready before you start.

Submit your application

Each occupant 18 or older submits a separate, complete application. Incomplete applications are not processed.

What happens next

You hear from us within 2 to 5 business days. If approved, you get written approval with move-in instructions. If denied, you get a written explanation of the reason.

What you need to apply.

Each applicant 18 or older who will live in the home submits their own application. Have these ready before you begin.

Required from every applicant
What to provide	Details
Completed application form	Available on our listings page for each property
Valid government-issued photo ID	Driver's license, passport, or state ID
Proof of lawful, verifiable income	Pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, bank statements, or other documentation
Rental history, previous 3 years	Landlord names, addresses, and contact information

If applicable
What to provide	Details
Co-applicant information	Every occupant 18 or older submits their own application
Dependent information	Names and ages of minor dependents
Pet documentation	Per our pet policy; assistive animals handled per fair housing law

How we evaluate applications.

The same standards, applied to every applicant. Here is exactly what we look at.

Minimum 2.5x rent

Income

Total household income must equal at least two and a half times the monthly rent. All lawful, verifiable income sources are considered equally, including wages, self-employment, Social Security, disability, retirement, alimony, and child support.

Minimum score 650

Credit

We consider the overall credit profile, not a single number in isolation: payment patterns, balances, collections, and the age and context of any negative items. No applicant is denied solely on the basis of one score.

Previous 3 years

Rental history

We contact previous landlords for the most recent three years, looking for a pattern of responsible tenancy: rent paid on time, lease terms honored, property maintained, and proper notice given.

No judgments in 7 years

Eviction history

We verify eviction history through public records. A filing that was dismissed, withdrawn, or resolved in the tenant's favor will not be held against you.

Individualized review

Criminal history

Following San Diego's fair chance housing rules, we don't ask about criminal history on the application. Any review comes only after you've met all the other criteria, and every situation is looked at individually.

No active bankruptcy

Bankruptcy

A discharged bankruptcy alone is not an automatic disqualifier. We consider the full financial picture, including current income, credit recovery, and rental history since the discharge.

Pets and assistive animals.

Pets are accepted on a property-by-property basis. Each listing states whether pets are permitted and any property-specific restrictions on size, number, or type. We do not maintain a blanket restricted breed list and evaluate each animal individually.

Service animals and emotional support animals are not pets, so no pet deposit or pet rent applies to a verified assistive animal. If you have one, you'll submit the request through petscreening.com as part of your application.

Fees, move-in costs, and deposits.

Item	Standard
Application fee	One screening fee per applicant, capped at our actual screening cost and shown to you before you apply
First month's rent	Full first month's rent due at lease signing, regardless of your move-in date
Security deposit	Typically one month's rent. Some smaller owners qualify for an exemption that can allow up to two months, so your exact amount is spelled out in your lease.

Security deposit return

When you move out, we document the unit's condition with photos or video. Within 21 calendar days you receive an itemized statement of any deductions, with supporting documentation and the remaining balance. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, cleaning to restore move-in condition (minus normal wear), and repair of damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Cosigner policy.

If you need a cosigner to qualify, the guarantor is held to a higher standard and signs a separate agreement.

Requirement	Standard
Income	At least six times (6x) the monthly rent
Credit score	Minimum 700
Residency	Must be a California resident
Application	Must complete a separate application and sign a guarantor agreement

Our commitment to fair housing.

Best Nest does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Every applicant is evaluated using the same criteria.

Questions before you apply?

Ready to apply?

The button takes you to our current listings. Open the property you are interested in and start your application from that listing. Each applicant 18 or older submits their own complete application.

Press Here to Apply

Choose a listing to start →

Application Process

Our Application Process

Find a Property

Submit Your Application

Screening

Approval & Lease Signing

Application Requirements

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