Screening International Applicants Without U.S. Credit
When a prospective tenant is an international applicant without a U.S. credit score or Social Security number, Berkeley rental housing providers must use alternative methods to assess the applicant's financial reliability. This guide outlines how to responsibly evaluate international applicants while maintaining fair housing compliance.
1. Clarify Your Written Screening Criteria
If your criteria require a minimum credit score, explain how applicants without U.S. credit will be evaluated. For example:
"Applicants without a U.S. credit score may provide alternate documentation of financial standing or offer a qualified U.S.-based guarantor."
This avoids automatically disqualifying international applicants and demonstrates flexibility consistent with fair housing principles.
2. Use Intellirent's International Credit Tool (Nova Credit)
BPOA members who use Intellirent may access international credit reports through Nova Credit.
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Nova Credit partners with foreign credit bureaus (e.g., in India, Canada, the U.K., Australia, and Mexico).
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Applicants are prompted to connect their international credit file during the online application process.
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If successful, this generates a U.S.-style credit report you can review like any domestic file.
Not all countries are supported. Applicants from unsupported regions may need to provide other documentation.
3. Request Financial Documentation
If no international credit report is available, you may ask for documentation demonstrating the applicant's ability to pay rent.
Examples include:
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Bank statements (U.S. or foreign) with sufficient balances
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Letter of financial support from a parent, sponsor, or scholarship provider
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Proof of full financial aid or stipend from a U.S. institution
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Prepaid rent offer (voluntary only — never required)
4. Require a Qualified U.S.-Based Guarantor (Optional)
If you have concerns about the applicant’s independent financial standing, you may request a guarantor who:
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Resides in the U.S.
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Meets your screening criteria (e.g., credit score, income)
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Signs a standalone guaranty agreement enforceable under California law
Avoid merely adding the guarantor as a co-tenant unless they will also reside in the unit.
5. Verify Identity and Enrollment
You may also ask for:
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A valid passport and visa (typically F-1 or J-1)
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Form I-20 or DS-2019 showing school, program, and funding source
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Campus-issued acceptance or enrollment letter (if needed)
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Other forms of government-issued ID, carefully verified for authenticity
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Online search (e.g., LinkedIn, Google) to help verify identity
6. Rental History and References
International applicants may lack a local rental history, but you can:
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Request references from previous landlords, if available
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Accept international rental references where applicable
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Evaluate alternative references (e.g., school housing staff or sponsors)
7. Security Deposits (AB 12 Reminder)
As of July 1, 2024, California law limits security deposits to:
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One month’s rent for most landlords
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Two months’ rent only if the housing provider is a natural person (not an LLC, corporation, or trust) who owns no more than two properties totaling four or fewer rental units
Do not require advance rent payment to get around this limit. It may only be offered voluntarily by the applicant.
8. Legal and Cultural Considerations
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Follow the Fair Housing Act; do not discriminate based on national origin or immigration status
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Be mindful of cultural differences in communication and documentation styles
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Review state and local laws to ensure all collected documentation and screening procedures are lawful
In closing, international applicants can be thoroughly and fairly evaluated using a flexible and transparent screening process. By adjusting expectations around credit history and considering alternative documentation, housing providers can confidently assess these applicants while staying compliant with the law and supporting Berkeley’s diverse rental market.